DUBAI, UAE – Veterans came forward as some of the top seed struggled on the first day of certification from the Australian Open women, who are taking place in Dubai this season and players aiming to retain their spots in the main draw of this year’s first Grand Slam event.
Sara Errani of Italy finisher Roland Garros 2012, 2010 Wvetledon semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, and WTA Doubles World No.4 Timea Babos of Hungary are currently some of the established names that have won awards in the first round on Sunday in the UAE
Former World No.5 errani, who are seeding 17th in the selection, put Liang En-shuo of 2018 young Australian champion Liang En-shuo of Chinese Taipei, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, in nearly two hours of play.
“The courts are very fast, so it’s really hard to play here for me, but I prepared well and I’m trying my best,” Errani said, after the game. ” I am happy to win today. “
“I love Australia, so I hope to go there, but of course we have to try our best, of all people, to do what we can, and it’s good to be here in Dubai, “continued Errani.
Pironkova, with a No.21 seed, went on a trip past Kyoka Okamura in Japan, 6-0, 6-1, in an hour and nine minutes. Pironkova aims to continue the success of the Grand Slam she resumed last year with reaching the 2020 U.S. finals in its first professional competition in more than three years.
Seeds No.7 Babos defeated Marina Melnikova of Russia, 6-3, 6-3, in an hour and 11 minutes. Hungary, who have also been in the top 25 in singles, scored three-quarters of her first points of service and broke her opponent five times.
“I wanted to play credentials for the Australian Open, as I didn’t have enough games for the past year,” said Babos, after winning. “I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to play credentials, but I didn’t expect to play it in Dubai!”
“But I love being here, I was mostly here all December,” Babos continued. “I’m happy to be back on the court and competing again, that’s more important. The first step is done, two more to go, and I’m just happy.”
The two top seeded players played Sunday, however, fell in the opening round. Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin, No.2 seed, fell to Isabella Shinikova of Bulgaria, 7-5, 6-2. The breaking point turning levels tell the story of the upheaval: Shinikova turned five of her six chances, while Dodin maintained 16 rest points but was only able to turn two.
Anna-Lena Friedsam’s No.4 seed was also lost in a draw in the first round, as the German lost former top 20 player Ana Konjuh of Croatia, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4. Konjuh, who ran to the finals of the 2016 U.S. Open Championship, fired him to a career-high position at World No.20, shooting nine assists on the run routinely in two hours and 18 minutes.
Konjuh, who is returning from injuries, has gone 13-4 in the ITF Challenger events since September. “I was out for over a year and a half, so it was a big step for me to just get back on the court,” said Konjuh, after winning. “I understood the need I have less games to start, to get used to the games and the rhythm of the competitions. “
“I’m really pleased that I’ve done well so far, I think, and I’m excited to see what’s to come,” Konjuh continued.
Another key seed was more fortunate to get through: No.6 seed Anna Kalinskaya of Russia defeated Dalma Galfi of Hungary, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, and No.9 Katarina seed Zavatska from Ukraine entered 2019 Australia Young Open Champion Clara Tauson from Denmark, 6-3, 6-3.
Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, the Australian winner, lost in the first round, as was the case with Cagla Buyukakcay, 6-4, 6-4.
The first round continues Monday with No.1 seed Kaja Juvan, No.3 seed Greet Minnen, and former World Eugenie Bouchard all set to play.
See the full results of Day 1 at the Australian Open website here! And look at the full certification draws here!