Ostrava : Local favourite Nikola Bartunkova produced a surprise result at the Ostrava Open on Monday, upsetting third seed Anna Blinkova of Russia 6-4 6-4 in the opening round in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Bartunkova broke serve at 5-4 in each set to seal the win in a tightly contested match. Fellow Czech Linda Fruhvirtova also progressed on home soil, defeating Germany’s Mona Barthel 7-6(4) 6-4.
However, it was a mixed day for Czech players, as Brenda Fruhvirtova suffered a 6-1 6-1 defeat to French qualifier Fiona Ferro, while Anna Siskova lost 6-4 6-4 to Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch. American Alycia Parks advanced with a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory over Austria’s Julia Grabher.
At the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, top seed Emma Raducanu began her campaign in dominant fashion, easing past Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-0 6-4 on the indoor hard courts. The Briton needed just 70 minutes to close out the match, facing no break points and converting four of her seven chances.
Third seed Solana Cirstea also delighted the home crowd, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan 6-4 6-4. Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova staged the only three-set comeback of the day, beating Czech wildcard Karolina Pliskova 4-6 6-2 6-2, while Romania’s Ana Bogdan fell 6-3 6-2 to Poland’s Maja Chwalinska.
In Abu Dhabi, lucky loser Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus claimed a notable upset, defeating eighth seed Paula Badosa of Spain 6-4 3-6 6-1 in first-round action on the outdoor hard courts.
Latvia’s seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko also survived a major scare, saving two match points and overcoming six service breaks in a 5-7 7-6(4) 6-2 win over Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva. Indonesia’s Janice Tjen beat Australia’s Maya Joint 7-6(6) 3-6 6-3, while Switzerland’s Simona Waltert outlasted Australia’s Daria Kasatkina 7-6(5) 3-6 6-4.
