Fourth seed Monica Niculescu has an enviable record at the Hobart International and used it to her advantage today.
The Romanian has twice made the singles quarterfinals here and is a four-time doubles finalist. She started her 2016 campaign in style, defeating American Christina McHale in the first round 7-5 7-5. It was her career-first victory over the world No.63 in four matches.
“It was not easy. I’ve played Christina many times and it was always a tough match,” Niculescu said.
The world No.38 won the doubles title in Shenzhen, China last week which meant a late arrival to Hobart. But Niculescu is competing in the Tasmanian city for a seventh time, and her experience in handling the conditions showed as she wore down an increasingly frustrated opponent.
“I was happy to play good because I was coming from Shenzhen and it was not an easy flight, but I’m happy I can play here in Hobart. I love it here,” Niculescu said.
Fortunes were not as good for sixth seed Barbora Strycova. The world No.48 also arrived in Hobart late after reaching the Auckland doubles final last week. She was eliminated in the first round by Swede Johanna Larsson 6-4 6-4 today.
Larsson won the Hobart International doubles title in 2015 with Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens, who was also a winner today. Bertens, a qualifier, advanced when fifth seed Madison Brengle retired with a respiratory illness in their first round match. Brengle reached the final here in 2015.
Bertens meets German Annika Beck next. The world No.56 defeated Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara, a semifinalist here last year, 6-4 6-3 today.
Paraguayan lucky loser Veronica Cepede Royg took advantage of her late promotion to the main draw, beating Spanish qualifier Laura Pous-Tio 6-3 2-6 6-1. But Japan’s Nao Hibino proved too strong for French lucky loser Pauline Parmentier, winning 7-6(1) 6-1.
Match reports from earlier today:
What were your thoughts on day two of Hobart International 2016? Join the #HobartTennis conversation on social media – Twitter or Facebook.