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MELBOURNE, Australia – Danielle Collins, an Australian open semifinalist, needed just 75 minutes to make her 2021 debut on Sunday at Melbourne Park – a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ysaline Bonaventure in Belgium the Yarra Valley Class.
Once again returning to the site of her best major career run, which saw the upheaval of former champion Angelique Kerber on the way to reaching the last four in 2019, was not much controversy against Collins against World No.123, breaking serving twice in each set to advance to the second round.
The World No.46 were absent from the first tournament of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi, having reached the semi-finals of the French Open in the autumn.
As the No.13 seed, Collins is one of three Americans among the top 16 in this draw – teaming up with Sofia Kenin’s No.2 seed and Serena Williams ’No.5 seed.
Look at the Highlights
Collins’ victory on an early slate of games gave her teammates the first day of action at the tournament, in which Shelby Rogers joined her in the second round thanks to a 6-2, 7-5 victory. on No.12 Fiona Ferro seeds, first seeds to fall.
The fourth-time player won a two-time Grand Slam, winning 16 of the first 17 points of the game out to a 4-0 lead, then rallied from 5-1 down in the second set to a two-set win. .
Despite the deficit, Rogers never had to save a set point.
Photo of the day: Soaring with Shelby
The hat trick of wins for the stars and stripes was not going to be in the session of the day, however – as former World Anastasija Sevastova was too strong for Madison Brengle, winning 6-4, 6- 2 in just 65 minutes.
Jessica Pegula and Venus Williams are poised to complete America’s effort against No.15 seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Arantxa Rus, respectively.
Bolsova safely through in straight routes, Gracheva wins the first three sets
Another player who had a 2019 Grand Slam run – Aliona Bolsova from Spain – was also among the winners early Sunday in the Yarra Valley event.
Bolsova, who reached the fourth round of the French Open that season, conceded just three games in defeating Ankita Raina, 6-3, 6-0 in India.
After seven straight victories in the afternoon, Varvara Gracheva of Russia claimed the first win back in the week: from set and breakdown, the world No.94 struggled to a 2-6 win, 6 -4, 6-2 over Aussie Lizette Cabrera.
Her prize is a date with the 2019 French Open final and No.8 seed Marketa Vondrousova.
Mention me that: Daria Gavrilova’s charm in returning home
Former top 20 player Daria Gavrilova had a tough choice ahead of her opening game: a good night’s sleep, or some celebration.
But after overtaking Viktoria Kuzmova in Slovakia in just over an hour at Margaret Court Arena, 6-2, 6-0, it looks like she made the right one.
The win was Gavrilova’s first game on home ground since 2019, following an injury layoff that lasted a whole year, and is a wild card in this week’s draw.
After returning to WTA level at the French Open last fall, the 26-year-old is currently at World No.451, but has a much finer pedigree than that number suggests.
Next up for the returning Aussie? Meeting with 23-time Grand Slam supporter Serena Williams.
And when prompted by the interviewer on the court for her comments on her next game, Gavrilova’s quick wit once again shone through.
“I saw her training on Instagram,” she said with a smile. “She doesn’t look rusty at all.”
Stat analysis: That’s the word
Four of the five mothers in the Yarra Valley Classic singles range were on the schedule for Sunday: Samantha Stosur, Tsvetana Pironkova, Yaroslava Shvedova and Vera Zvonareva.
Pliskova, Serena at the end of a slate Monday
Top 10 players Karolina Pliskova and Serena Williams are among those set to play second round matches on Monday after receiving the blessings of the first round. Also in action are No.9 Donna Vekic seeds, No.11 seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and No.14 seeds Nadia Podoroska.
Click here for a Monday play order at Melbourne Park, featuring games from both the Yarra Valley Classic and the Gippsland Cup.