Ann Li vs Anna Blinkova: Macon Final Analysis (ITF W100)
More drama and a deciding set tie-break for Blinkova as she claimed her first title in 2 years
Anna Blinkova’s 2024 season will always be remembered for the epic Australian Open win over Elena Rybakina, clinched in the longest tie-break in Grand Slam singles history. After 42 points, 6 match point saves and 31 draining minutes, Blinkova finally converted her 10th match point for a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (22:20) second-round win.
But the 26-year old Russian was unable to carry her outstanding level into the next round or the rest of the year. Upon her arrival at Macon to contest the Mercer Tennis Classic as the second seed (WTA #84), Blinkova’s numbers weren’t impressive. Her 2024 win-loss record stood at 14-27 and included 18 first round losses.
Ironically, it was a marathon tie-break loss that kickstarted Blinkova’s worst stretch of the season. After quality wins over Bianca Andreescu and Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the quarters at WTA 500 Bad Homburg, Blinkova squandered 5 match points during the deciding breaker before losing to Viktoriya Tomova 6-2, 1-6, 6-7 (9:11). A tough result that began a 10-match losing streak.
Blinkova finally interrupted the sequence at WTA 125 Hong Kong, her last event prior to this week, reaching the semis after wins over former #1 Simona Halep and current top-10 Emma Navarro.
One good run proved to be all Blinkova needed to get back on track. Injected with confidence, the Russian captured the title at ITF W100 Macon, for her first winner’s trophy in 2 years. In a sort of full-circle, redemption moment, it was accomplished in a final set tie-break and after saving 3 match points.
The first set of the Macon final was dominated by 5-seed Ann Li (WTA #130). The American hit 7 winners, had 6 serves that extracted return errors and was 2-for-2 on break points.
Even tough Blinkova missed 3 break points in the opening game of the second set, she reacted by conceding just 3 points on serve in the set. In addition, she won 10 of 12 games to take a 4-1 double-break lead in the third set.
Li came up with her own big rally, winning 4 straight games to move ahead 5-4. While Blinkova had a comfortable hold in the 10th game, everything was different 2 games later. At 5-6, the Russian needed to save 3 championship points.
→ Li championship point #1
Li did a great job at getting into a rally after being pulled wide by the serve. Then she squandered her chance with a backhand unforced error.
→ Li championship point #2
Blinkova hit a brave “serve+1” backhand down the line winner.
→ Li championship point #3
Li was unable to find the court with a forehand return.
Eventually, Blinkova held to force a final set tie-break. For Li, the 12th game was her only uncoverted return game of the final; she had broken in all previous 4 games she held break points.
In the deciding breaker, Blinkova jumped to a 3:0 lead but Li managed to tie it at 4:4. Then the final ended on 3 consecutive early-point errors by Li, a “serve+1” forehand, a backhand return and a “return+1” backhand.
In a very tight match, Li looked to impose her forehand whenever possible. She finished with 22 forehand groundstroke winners.
Blinkova countered by doing well at the net. She hit 7 volley/overhead winners with a single error and won 12 of 16 net points.
A closer look at Li’s forehand performance revealed that half of her forehands were hit from the AD court on run-around shots (marked by orange circles below).
Blinkova’s match chart showed she made Li’s forehand corner her most frequent target of attack (marked by yellow circle).
Below, we can also confirm how Blinkova was proficient at the net or on approaches.
While Blinkova ended the final with 8 fewer winners (24 to 32) she neutralized that gap by inducing 11 more forced errors during rallies (21 to 10).
The latter metric was the difference-maker of the final set, as Blinkova collected a decisive 8-point advantage (11 to 3).
Forced Errors during rallies by Set
Set 1: Li 4 / Blinkova 5
Set 2: Li 2 / Blinkova 6
Set 3: Li 11 / Blinkova 3
Ann Li (WTA #130, seed 5) vs Anna Blinkova (WTA #84, seed 2)
2024 Macon Final - Match Data
Set by Set Stats
Strategy Stats
Points Won by Rally Length
Winners and Errors (returns and rally shots)
Direction of winning shots and unforced errors (only groundstrokes)
Serve and Return
1st Serves
2nd Serves
Return & rallying performance
Rally Length
Points won breakdown
This final section gives a last, broader look at the match by presenting how each player won points. Points are listed according to their frequency (highest to lowest) and are named in relation to the last touch on the ball. For simplicity, groundstrokes hit from the 5th shot onwards are grouped together.
Breakdown by side (FHs or BHs)
Breakdown by error type (UFEs or FEs)
To find out more about the stats published here, please visit the following post.
Even though they follow the same criteria used on all major tennis events, they are not official WTA or ITF stats. They are collected through our own rigorous video analysis.
Thanks for reading!
— Tennis Inside Numbers