Lina Gjoreska comes from behind to win opening match at ITF W50 Istanbul
Gjoreska recovered from an early deficit to beat Berfu Cengiz 3–6, 7–6(1), 6–4 in 2 hours 2 minutes.
Lina Gjoreska staged a late comeback to win her opening match at the ITF W50 tournament in Istanbul on October 27, 2026, beating third seed Berfu Cengiz in three sets.
The North Macedonian prevailed 3–6, 7–6(1), 6–4 after 2 hours and 2 minutes on court. Gjoreska dropped the first set 6–3 after Cengiz built an early 5–1 lead, but she recovered in the second set to force a tiebreak and won it decisively, 7–1.
Turning point and late surge
In the deciding set Cengiz again raced to a 3–0 advantage, but Gjoreska levelled at 3–3. After the score reached 4–4, Gjoreska won eight consecutive points to close out the match, securing a break in the ninth game and taking the set 6–4.
This was Gjoreska's second victory in three meetings between the two players.
Gjoreska will face Raluka Serban of Cyprus in the next round; Serban earlier defeated Ekaterina Tupitsina 6–3, 6–4. The upcoming match will be the eighth head-to-head between Gjoreska and Serban, with the current overall record standing 4–3 in favour of Gjoreska.
The Istanbul event is an ITF W50 tournament with a total prize fund of 40,000 US dollars.
Photo: press material from the event
