Monterrey Open: Kim Clijsters defeated anew; top-seed Elina Svitolina reaches Round 2

The champion and finalist at the Mexican Open in Acapulco last week had contrasting fortunes on Tuesday, in Monterrey. Heather Watson, who won the title in Acapulco lost to Tatjana Maria 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 39 minutes. Meanwhile, Leylah Fernandez, who reached the finals there, won against Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 7-6(5), 6-2 in an hour and 38 minutes.

Maria will play the second seed Johanna Konta in the second round. The Briton defeated Kim Clijsters in their slated opener 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 25 minutes. This is Clijsters’ only second loss – in her career – to a Briton. Meanwhile, Fernandez will take on the fifth seed Sloane Stephens in the second round.

Tamara Zidansek upset the seventh-seeded Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in their opening-round encounter. The Slovenian won 6-2, 6-2 in 67 minutes. In the second round, Zidansek will play Anastasia Potapova. The Russian won her night-session, first-round match against Italian qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 17 minutes.

Top-seed Elina Svitolina also moved into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Danka Kovinic in 60 minutes. The Ukrainian will play Olga Govortsova in the pre-quarter-finals.

The Netherlands’ Arantxa Rus reached the second round after her opponent, Russian lucky loser Varvara Flink had to retire mid-match, while down 3-4 in the opening set. Rus awaits 10th seed Lauren Davis in the next round. Davis defeated Nadia Podoroska 6-0, 6-3 in 69 minutes.

Kateryna Bondarenko will play the sixth seed Rebecca Peterson after her opening-round win against Sara Sorribes Tormo. The Ukrainian dropped the opening set but won the match 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 in an hour and 40 minutes.  

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