Last season’s WTA Newcomer of the Year Zheng Qinwen saved a match point in the first set to upset Anett Kontaveit 6-1 4-6 7-6 (9-7) in 2 hours and 28 minutes at the opening round of the Adelaide International.
Zheng built a 6-1 4-2 leadin just over 60 minutes, but Kontaveit won four consecutive games to seal the second set 6-4 forcing the match to the third set.
Neither player dropped serve in the third set. Zheng fended off the only break point in the fourth game. Kontaveit opened up a 3-1 lead in the tie-break. She had to save a match point when she was was 5-6 down, before earning her own chance at 7-6. Zheng hit a forehand that clipped the tape and a forehand squash-shot floated long. Zheng converted her second match point, as Kontaveit sent a backhand into the net.
Two-time Australian Open champion Viktoria Azarenka battled past Anhelina Kalinina 7-6 (11-9) 7.6 7-5) in 2 hours and 38 minutes. Azarenka will take on Zheng Qinwen in the second round.
Kalinina raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening set, before Azarenka fended off two set points at 5-3 and at 6-5. Azarenka had to save three more set poinst in the tie-break of the first set before clinching the tie-break 11-9 after 80 minutes.
Kalinina came back from 0-3 down in the second set and saved two match points at 6-5 to force the set to another tie-break. Azarenka converted her fifth match point to reach the second round.
Former Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova came back from one set down to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6 6-3 6-2. The Czech player saved 13 of the 16 break points she faced.
Vondousova has improved her record to 3-1 in her four head to head matches against Alexandrova. Vondrousova will face Kaia Kanepi in the second round.
