Teodora Kostovic cruises into Antalya qualifying with 6:1, 6:2 win

teodora kostovic beat Liju Karatančevu 6: 1, 6: 2 in just 71 minutes to move through the qualifying rounds at the Antalya Challenger, extending a run that followed a trip to Portugal where she reached 160 on the WTA list.

Teodora Kostovic controlled the match from start to finish

The 18-year-old was dominant throughout, converting a 6: 1 opening set and sealing the second 6: 2. Kostovic faced only one break point in the entire match and saved it, while her opponent lost serve five times. She entered the qualifying draw as the top seed and kept constant pressure on Karatančevu with aggressive returning and steady service games.

Next match: a tougher road to the Antalya main draw

To reach the main draw in Antalya, Kostovic will need one more win — against the winner of the match between Alevtina Ibragimova and Laura Pigosi. Both potential opponents are higher-ranked, making the upcoming qualifier a steeper test than her win over Karatančevu. Last season's champion at this event was Olga Danilović, leaving open the possibility that a Serbian player could again lift the title.

Momentum from Portugal and where this result leaves her

Kostovic arrived in Turkey after a week in Portugal that lifted her to 160 on the WTA list, a personal best. That ranking places her close to the top 150 and provides concrete evidence of upward movement in her season. With the qualifying win in 71 minutes in Antalya, she consolidated that progress and put herself one victory away from the main draw.