Top Seed Sara Errani battled her way past world No.88 Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, in the opening round of the Monterrey Open.
Errani’s match was one of the last first round matches left to play in the tournament, which was hampered by rain on Tuesday. The Italian has beaten Rybarikova in their two previous meetings, however, their latest encounter in Mexico was a mixed experience for Errani.
Initially the world No.17 was producing the same form which she produced on route to claiming the Dubai Tennis Championships title last week. During the opening set the Italian managed to get 93% of her first serves in, winning 79% of them, as she clinched the opening set after just 25 minutes of play.
The top seed is known for experiencing issues with her serve during matches and the second set was evident of this issue. Errani dropped her service twice as her Slovakian opponent raced to a 4-1 lead during the second set. After the poor start, the Italian regained her momentum by retrieving one of the breaks. She then had five break point chances to level proceedings at 4-4 but she was denied by the world No.88 as Rybarikova managed to hold her nerve to clinch the second set.
Errani was facing the prospect of a first round loss after her opponent broke to move ahead 4-2 in the deciding set. The top seed responded in triumphant fashion by winning four consecutive games to claim the hard-fought win after two hours of play.
Throughout her first round triumph, Errani impressively managed to get 95% of her first serves in but only won 59% of them (46/78). The 28-year-old also saved 9/13 break points.
In the second round the top seed will play Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit. Kontaveit produced a 6-4, 6-4, win over former Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova.
The third day of the tournament also saw double success for British tennis. Fourth seed Johana Konta endured a two-hour test to reach the quarterfinal stage. The Brit overcame world No.48 Yania Wickmayer 7-6(6), 7-6(4). It will be Konta’s second quarterfinal of 2016 after her surprise run to the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Joining Konta in the last eight will be her compatriot Heather Watson. The 23-year-old enjoyed a 6-2, 6-3, victory over Polona Hercog. Watson could now face Caroline Wozniacki in the next round if the second seed wins her second round match.
SEE ALSO: Caroline Wozniacki Breezes Into The Last Sixteen In Monterrey
