The controversial confinement of the Australian Open is claiming its first victims. One of them the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, whoEu this Tuesday said goodbye to the tournament in the first round defeated in two sets (7-5 and 6-4 in just over an hour and a half) by the American Jessica Pegula, number 61 in the world who had never passed the first round in Melbourne.
Azarenka, 13th in the WTA ranking, was not the only surprise on this second day. The Greek Sakkari, 23rd, said goodbye to a Kristina Mladenovic who has fallen behind after three sets (6-2, 0-6 and 6-3 in one hour and 48 minutes). Other top-20 players did make progress, some in more trouble than others. It was the case of the Swiss Belinda Bencic (number 12), who went to three sets against the American Davis (6-3, 4-6 and 6-1 in two hours and 26 minutes) and will face the Russian Kuznetsova in the second round.
Belgian Elise Mertens did not suffer the 16th World Cup, against the very young Canadian Leylah Annie Fernández (18 years old), who made her second appearance at the oceanic event. Mertens finished the match with a resounding 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes to meet with the Chinese Zhu. The Ukrainian Svitolina, fifth on the world list, took a little longer to knock down the Czech Bouzkova, who had significant break points in the second set. Finally the clash was decided in the tie-break, with a 6-3 and 7-6 (5) final for Svitolina after two hours. Her next rival will be the American Coco Gauff, who knocked down the Swiss Teichmann (63 and 6-2).
Sofia Kenin, meanwhile, left the local representation a little more lame, winning Maddison Inglis. The American, fourth in the ranking, only needs one hour and 27 minutes to win 7-5 and 6-4. On Thursday he will meet the Estonian Kanepi.
Barty wipes out Kovinic
Australian Ashleigh Barty made her dream debut at the Australian Open after defeating Danka Kovinic from Monterrey 6-0. Barty, the first favorite for the title, showed why she is the number one in the world with almost 90% of her first serves won in addition to taking advantage of 6 of the eight break balls she had. In second round Barty She will face her compatriot Daria Gavrilova, who defeated Spain's Sara Sorribes.
Pliskova beats Paolini with authority
Also advanced to second round Karolina Pliskova, who gave no options to the Italian Jasmine Paolini, whom she beat 6-0 and 6-2. The Czech was very solid with her serve and also the rest by taking advantage of 5 of the 8 break balls she had. In the second round Pliskova will have a tough rival, the American Danielle Collins (who is trained by the Spanish Nico Almagro), who beat Romanian Ana Bogdan (6-3 and 6-1) in two sets.
Konta retires due to injury
Another of the favorites that said goodbye to the tournament was the British Johanna Konta, who won the first set 4-6 against Kaja Juvan and fell 2-0 in the second when she decided to retire due to injury. In this way Juvan will face the Egyptian in the second round Mayar Sherif, who became the first Egyptian woman to win a match in a Grand Slam finals after beating Chloe Pacquet 7-5 double.
Schedule and results.