McHale edges Siniakova

McHale was getting pushed all the way and looked headed for a straight-sets defeat against an all-round effort from Siniakova, before the lightest of rains stopped the match when McHale was a break down in the second set at 3-2.

McHale saved two break points to open the final set before the game was stopped again with weak rain and it haunted Siniakova once more, McHale breaking with a backhand down the line before the Czech headed off the court for treatment.

Siniakova, who had 28 winners to McHale’s 15, still clung on as she broke to make it 4-1 before a backhand volley saw her break to pull within a game at 5-4, but couldn’t hold serve, hitting wide on match point.