From the start, Prozorova was in command, dictating the play with heavy forehands across the court, opening the court with the backhand down the line and consistently disrupting Sidorova’s timing. Sidorova never quite found her rhythm, missing routine groundstrokes and struggling to settle into rallies while Prozorova mixed depth with subtle variations. With assured net play and solid volleys, Prozorova took the lead and took the opening set 6-4.
Just before the second set started, the match took an unexpected turn. Prozorova strained a muscle in her left thigh and returned to the court heavily taped, her movement visibly restricted. For a fleeting moment, Sidorova felt an opening when Prozorova conceded a match as she tested her leg, relying on slices to stay afloat.
What followed, however, was a striking change in momentum. Prozorova started to shorten the points with bold returns, stepping inside the baseline to hit flat forehands into the corners. She used angled backhands to stretch Sidorova wide and finished the points with sharp volleys and the occasional teasing lob.
Any hopes Sidorova harbored faded as Prozorova played four games on the trot, closing the second set 6-1 with a flurry of court winners and non-returnable serves to march into the quarter-finals.
Other results: Singles (round 16): Tian Institute Tan (Chn) Bt Han Vandhewinkin (Bel) 2-6. 6-4, 6-4; Lararudee (Tha) bt Park Ascetic (Kord) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0; Lille Tagger (Aut) Bt Shimizu (Jpn) 6-2, 6-2.
Doubles (quarter-finals): Nicole Peossa Huergo (Arg) & Manchangea Future (Tha) Chhosa Bhosale, Plieve District (Tha) 4-6, 6-1 (9).
Published – Feb 5, 2026 9:28 PM IST
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