Alycia Parks recovered from a shaky start to defeat Mary Stoiana 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the Charleston opening round on Tuesday. The American fired 6 aces and won 86 total points to advance, shaking off recent struggles with a commanding performance over the final two sets.
Parks looked out of sorts early, losing the first set 2-6 as Stoiana dictated play. But the tide turned in the second set, where Parks elevated her second-serve effectiveness (51% points won compared to Stoiana’s 33%) and began finding her range from the baseline. The deciding set was a procession — Parks dominated 6-1, capitalizing on 6 double faults from Stoiana across the match while committing just one herself.
The victory snaps a concerning stretch for Parks, who arrived in Charleston with a 4-6 record over her last 10 matches. Her ability to regroup after the opening set suggests improved mental fortitude on a surface where she’s historically struggled (career 39.5% win rate on hard courts).
Key Takeaways
- Parks won 51% of second-serve points compared to just 33% for Stoiana — a decisive advantage that fueled her comeback after losing the opening set.
- Stoiana’s 6 double faults proved costly, particularly as the match wore on. Parks committed just 1 double fault while firing 6 aces, a lopsided serve efficiency margin.
- Despite Stoiana’s superior first-serve percentage (70% vs. 59%), Parks matched her effectiveness on first-serve points won (65% vs. 64%), then pulled away with her dominance on second serves.
- The 7-point total margin (86-79) belies how one-sided the final two sets became — Parks won 12 of the last 17 games after dropping the opener.
Player Analysis
Alycia Parks
Parks displayed the resilience that’s been missing during her recent slump. Her 6 aces marked a solid day at the office — below her 8.3 hard-court average but backed by discipline (just 1 double fault). The key was her second-serve performance: winning 51% of those points is well above her usual consistency issues, and it allowed her to weather Stoiana’s early pressure. The dominant 6-1 third set suggests Parks rediscovered her timing after the first-set wobble, a promising sign as she seeks to improve her 39.5% career hard-court win rate.
Her serve acceleration in sets two and three — particularly the ability to close out the match without facing a break point — indicates growing confidence. If she can maintain this level of second-serve reliability, Parks has the firepower to make noise in Charleston.
Mary Stoiana
Stoiana controlled the opening set with aggressive returns and a clean service game, racing to a 6-2 lead. But her 6 double faults across the match — five of them coming after the first set — proved catastrophic. She couldn’t sustain her early pressure, and once Parks settled, Stoiana’s 33% second-serve points won left her exposed. Her 70% first-serve percentage was respectable, yet she couldn’t leverage it effectively in the deciding moments.
The collapse from 6-2 up to losing 10 of the next 13 games reveals fragility under pressure. Stoiana needed to find more free points on serve — her single ace wasn’t nearly enough against an opponent who cranked up the aggression as the match progressed.
Match Statistics
| Alycia Parks | Stat | Mary Stoiana |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Aces | 1 |
| 1 | Double Faults | 6 |
| 59% | 1st Serve % | 70% |
| 65% | 1st Serve Points Won | 64% |
| 51% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 33% |
| 86 | Total Points Won | 79 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Alycia Parks vs Mary Stoiana at Charleston 2026?
Alycia Parks defeated Mary Stoiana 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the Round of 64 at Charleston on March 31, 2026.
How many aces did Alycia Parks hit against Mary Stoiana?
Parks fired 6 aces compared to just 1 for Stoiana, while committing only 1 double fault to Stoiana’s 6.
Who won the Charleston 2026 women’s singles opening round match?
Alycia Parks won, rallying from a 2-6 first-set deficit to take the match in three sets.
What was Alycia Parks’ second serve winning percentage against Stoiana?
Parks won 51% of her second-serve points, a decisive advantage over Stoiana’s 33% second-serve points won.
What’s Next
Parks advances to the Round of 32 at Charleston, where she’ll look to build on this comeback performance. The victory secures crucial ranking points and ends a frustrating stretch that saw her lose three of her last four tournaments heading into the event.
