Marija Lauva loses US Open junior doubles opener after squandering set lead

Latvian junior tennis player Marija Lauva was eliminated in the first round of the US Open junior girls’ doubles tournament on Tuesday in New York. She partnered with American Džordina Heizelita, and the pair failed to advance past their opening match.

Fifth-seeded opponents proved too strong

The duo lost 5-7, 4-6 to the Czech team of Jana Kovačková and Kateržina Zajīčkova, who were seeded fifth in the tournament. In the opening set, Lauva and Heizelita led 5-2 but could not hold on to their advantage, eventually dropping the set 5-7. The second set ended 4-6, meaning the Czech pair took the match in straight sets. The loss brought an end to Lauva and Heizelita’s participation in the doubles competition.

Other Latvian juniors at the tournament

Earlier reports said Lauva had won two matches in qualifying in the singles event but then lost in the first round of the main draw. Meanwhile, Rihards Neimanis suffered a defeat in the second round of qualifying at the junior tournament.