Carlé and Noha Akugue reach the quarterfinals
The Vanda Pharmaceuticals Mallorca Women’s Championships presented by ecotrans Group (WTA 125) experienced its most demanding day so far on Tuesday, with several marathon encounters and dramatic finishes across the Mallorca Country Club and the TC Magaluf.
María Lourdes Carlé (ARG) became the first player to reach the quarterfinals, prevailing over Italy’s Nuria Brancaccio in a three-hour battle of resilience and focus. Carlé held firm in the decisive moments to seal the win 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, displaying exceptional composure and physical endurance.
The clash between Sára Bejlek (CZE) and Mina Hodzic (GER) followed the same intense rhythm. The 19-year-old Czech player also needed around three hours to overcome her opponent 7-5, 5-7, 7-6, in one of the most fiercely contested matches of the tournament.
In another three-set encounter, Ekaterine Gorgodze (GEO) defeated Despina Papamichail (GRE) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to secure her spot in the next round.
In the third match of the day on Centre Court, Serbia’s Lola Radivojevic moved into the round of 16 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Miriam Bulgaru (ROU), in a match defined by consistent baseline exchanges and solid intensity.
In the final match of the day, Noma Noha Akugue (GER) capped an excellent week in Mallorca with a hard-fought win over Carole Monnet (FRA), coming back to triumph 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 and secure her place in the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old, who often trains at the Mallorca Country Club, showed great composure and fighting spirit to turn the match around and close it out confidently in front of the local crowd.
The day also marked the farewell of the last Mallorcan player in the tournament. Yvonne Cavallé-Reimers, partnering with Angelica Moratelli (ITA), lost a close doubles battle to Mayar Sherif (EGY) and Tamara Zidansek (SLO) 6-7, 6-4, 10-4.
Off the court, the tournament welcomed more than 100 children from schools in Calvià, Andratx, and Palma as part of e|motion Sports Spain’seducational initiative. The students learned about how a professional tournament operates, took part in fun activities, and discovered curiosities about tennis while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Mallorca Country Club.
In the evening, players gathered for the traditional Players Party at Hadley’s in Magaluf, sharing a relaxed evening before the start of the tournament’s decisive phase.
The Vanda Pharmaceuticals Mallorca Women’s Championships continues this Wednesday, October 8, with the remaining round of 16 singles matches and the start of the doubles quarterfinals. It will also be the final day of competition in Magaluf, before all matches move exclusively to the Mallorca Country Club from Thursday onward.