No upsets at the opening day of the ladies draw.
STOSUR – BALTHACA 6-4 6-0
Sam was much too strong for the British to produce a “one way traffic match”. The Australian looked quite at ease especially in the second set when she was blasting everything she could at her defensless opponent.
Unfortunately this loss will put Baltacha in a difficult position to get to the Olimpic Games.
‘I knew it was going to be a difficult match. I knew too that if I played really well, if she had a bit of an off day, I might have a chance. I did play one of the best clay-court players in the world so it was a big ask.’
IVANOVIC – ARRUABARRENA-VECINO 6-1 6-1
Trashy stuff here with Ana trying to get back in the top 10 and of course… to win again the tournament after 4 years. Ana was all over the court to win 55 points vs 29 with a remarkable and aggressive tennis.
‘I think first round, it’s always tough,’ she said. ‘There are always nerves to begin with. Playing Sunday, as well, I actually wanted to play the first day, but still there were some nerves in the beginning.’
VENUS WILLIAMS – ORMAECHEA 4-6 6-1 6-3
A big initial struggle for Venus that had to come back from a 1 set deficit against the 19 years-old Argentine. It was just a slow start for the American veteran that as soon as she found her tennis she managed to dismantle the world no.120 in 2 easy sets.
Venus is trying to find her best tennis to (plausibly) play in the next round Agnieszka Radwanska.
OTHER MATCHES
Kuznetsova – Lucic 6-1 6-3
Johansson – Rodionova 5-7 7-6 (8) 6-4
Kerber – Zhang 6-3 6-4
Safarova – Yakimova 6-2 6-0
Errani – Dellacqua 4-6 6-2 6-2
Falconi – Gallovits-Hall 3-6 6-3 6-1
Peer – Dubois 6-2 6-2
Parlovic – Chang 6-4 7-5
Glatch – Tatishvili 6-3 5-7 6-4
Wozniak – El Tabakh 7-5 6-2
Sanches – Birnerova 4-6 6-4 8-6
