Sorana Cirstea, the tournament’s No. 2 seed has advanced to the second round after defeating lucky loser Nina Bratchikova of Russia 6-3 7-5.
Bratchikova took the first set after out-playing the second seed with consistent ground strokes and a steady first serve. The world No.27, who defeated Australia’s No. 1 female Sam Stosur at the Australian Open in 2012, struggled to break back as the Russian advanced forcefully to take the first set.
It was neck and neck in the second with both players fighting to stay ahead. At 6 – 5, Bratchikova requested to see her coach ahead of her chance to break Cirstea’s serve. Cirstea turned it up a notch, attacking at the net and evening the score to 6 – 6. She continued to attack on her forehand and broke Bratchikova to win the second.
In the third, Cirstea stormed ahead of Bratchikova, mixing up the play to take the final set 6-2. Cirstea will now advance to the second round, on her way to equalling her quarterfinal appearance at the tournament in 2012.
By Rosie Jones