Maria Sakkari recovered from an early break to secure a straight-sets victory over Linda Fruhvirtova in the first round at the Singapore Tennis Open, winning 6–4, 6–1 in one hour and 25 minutes.
The Greek former world No. 3 initially found herself on the back foot as Fruhvirtova made an early breakthrough. Sakkari, however, steadied her game to edge a tight opening set before taking control of the match in the second.
Sakkari pulled away late, dropping just one game in the second set to seal her place in the next round.
The 29-year-old produced three aces and won 76 per cent of points behind her first serve, while landing 61 per cent of her first serves.
The victory gives Sakkari a positive start to her Singapore campaign as she looks to progress further in the tournament.
She will next face Japan’s Nao Hibino in the second round.