The first round at the Singapore Tennis Open is done and dusted
with some familiar names making their way through. It was contrasting wins for
Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova, while Donna Vekic slumped out in a
one-sided match.Sakkari and Krejcikova headline victors
Former World No.3 Sakkari had to wait until late to begin
her Asian swing campaign. She made up for it with a flourish as she sent Linda Fruhvirtova
out of the tournament in a 6-4, 6-1 scoreline.
From the off Sakkari was on the back foot thanks to an early
break by her Czech opponent. However, the first set would turn on its head in
an instant. Trailing 4-2, Sakkari mounted an offensive which saw her win four
consecutive games and subsequently the first set.
She would boost that tally to nine games, taking an
astonishing 5-0 lead with Fruhvirtova unable to keep pace.
Maria Sakkari won nine of the final 10 games to progress into the second round
It was a very stressful contest for Krejcikova despite her rapid
start. The two-time Grand Slam champion was dragged into a tremendous battle
against German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam to win 6-0, 5-7, 7-6(4).
The first set was as dominant as it got, and it was an ominous sign
by Krejcikova, who wanted to blast herself into the second round with defending
champion Elise Mertens awaiting the winner.
However, the tables soon turned. Friedsam soon got into her
groove and led the second set 5-2. It took a mega effort by the Czech to get
back level at 5-5, only to see her opponent win the final two games and make it
one set all. It was a very topsy-turvy third set too. Friedsam was in command
at 5-3 to the good, but two match points were squandered, and Krejcikova clawed her
way back. Another two breaks later, a tiebreak was needed. Krejcikova found
that extra gear and got over the line in just under three hours.
Vekic out as Oliynykova and parks prevail
The other seed in action was Vekic, but she could only
manage three games in a disastrous 6-1, 6-2 battering against Xinyu Wang.
Just 65 minutes it took for the Chinese No.1 to dismantle
the Queen’s champion. A five-game burst sewed up the first set before she
repeated that same trick in the second set, not dropping another game from 2-1
down. It was a performance to forget for Vekic who swiftly departs the
Singapore Open.
Better news for Oleksandra Oliynykova and Alycia Parks who
both prevailed in straight sets. Oliynykova proved too strong for Vivian Wolff
in a 6-1, 7-6(1) triumph, while Parks overcame lucky loser Mai Yamaguchi 6-4,
6-3.
Tatiana Prozorova came back from a set down in a very close
5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2 victory. Sofia Costoulas of Belgium took the lead and a break
advantage in the second. That was snuffed out before she missed chances to lead
6-5 and serve it out. The subsequent tiebreak went the way of the Russian who
would not look back in the third set.
That is the first round action done. Mirra Andreeva and
Alexandra Eala will headline proceedings in the second round with Amanda
Anisimova a late withdrawal from the competition with a wrist issue.