Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Yaroslava Shvedova eased into the second round of the Hong Kong Open following a 6-4, 6-4, win over Australia’s Jarmila Gajdošová.
Shvedova, who hasn’t won a WTA singles title since 2007, successfully fended off four break points as she remained unbroken throughout the encounter which lasted an hour and fourteen minutes. Earlier this year the Kazakh player reached her second WTA final in Bogota, Colombia.
Joining Shvedova in the second round is Monica Puig, who defeated Thai world N0.192 Luksika Kumkhum 6-1, 6-2. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the encounter was much closer with break-point chances occurring in 11 out of the 15 games played. Puig broke her opponent seven times throughout the match. Leading up to the tournament, the 22-year-old currently has a 2015 win-loss of 13-21. Following her win on Monday, Puig told the media that she feels she is going in the right direction.
“I had a very difficult year and changed my coach after Wimbledon and it has suddenly made a huge difference in my game,” Puig said.
“I have started to become more consistent result-wise and win more matches.” She added.
Other winners on the opening day of the competition include Anastasia Rodionova who defeated qualifier Irina Ramialison 6-4, 7-5, and Lara Arruabarrena who beat Irina Falconi 6-4, 6-3.
The tournament has been recently marred by a duo of withdrawals. Garbine Muguruza, who won the China Open last week, withdrew due to an ankle injury and Eugenie Bouchard missed the tournament as she tries to overcome the side effects of a concussion which she sustained during the US Open.
