Aryna Sabalenkafirst seed and number 2 in the world, debuted with a victory at the WTA 1,000 China Open after defeating Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, 6-4 and 6-1 this Saturday.
Sabalenka needed one hour and 16 minutes in a match played on the Diamond center court of the Beijing complex to advance to the third round.
In the first set, the Belarusian tennis player broke Sawangkaew’s serve in the sixth game, consolidating the advantage after the break with 40-0 in her favour.
Although the Thai broke back, the Belarusian proved superior, earning a second break to close out the set 6-4.
The second set is dominated by the first seedwho got two breaks, in the third and sixth games, to seal the set for a comfortable 6-1.
Sabalenka is more effective at key points, with a solid 75% points won on his first serveand saving three of four break balls in the match.
The Belarusian will face the winner of the match between American Ashlyn Krueger and New Zealander Lulu Sun in the next round.
In another match in the morning session, Jasmine Paolini defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson 1-6, 7-5 and 6-4in a duel that lasted two hours and 8 minutes.
The Italian, third seed and number 5 in the world ranking, was able to overcome the adverse first set to advance to the third round of the Chinese tournament.
The start was complicated for Paolini, who gave up three times on serve and was erratic by committing two double faults.
Tauson, ranked number 72, took advantage of the moment and took the first round with force (1-6).
However, the Italian reacted in the second set, adjusted his game and took the initiative on the Diamond court, the central court of the Beijing tennis complex.
After a dominant start with almost two consecutive breaks, Paolini saw off Tauson to level the score, although the Italian managed a decisive break in the eleventh game to close out the set 7-5.
The third and final set remained even, with both players defending their serves well until Paolini had a break in the ninth game, which allowed him to seal the match 6-4.
The Italian showed more aggressiveness at the net and was more effective on his first serve, achieving 83.3% of points won in that condition.
With this victory, Paolini will face the winner of the match between Japanese Moyuka Uchijima and Polish Magda Linette in the next round.
In its part, Cristina Bucsa advanced to the third round of the WTA 1,000 China Open after defeating Russian Liudmila Samsonova on Saturday by 6-1, 4-6 and 6-4 in a match of two hours and 27 minutes at the Moon secondary court of the Beijing tennis complex.
The current champion and world number one, the Polish Iga Swiatek, did not participate this year.
Source: La Verdad
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