Dasha continues her hot streak
TENNIS: Daria Gavrilova has ensured Australia’s women enjoyed their best start to a US Open in more than 30 years.
Extending her hardcourt winning streak to six matches – following a WTA title breakthrough in New Haven last week – Gavrilova crushed American Allie Kiick 6-2 6-1 in their rain-delayed clash.
Joining Ashleigh Barty, Arina Rodionova and Ajla Tomljanovic as first-round winners, it meant it was the first time four Australian women have progressed to the second round at Flushing Meadows since 1986.
Unfortunately, their wasn’t much time to celebrate with Rodionova and Tomljanovic bundled out of the tournament a short time later, though Barty progressed to the third round.
World No.20 Gavrilova only needed an hour to see off the world No.634 to record her first victory in New York since winning the junior crown in 2010.
“I played pretty aggressive,” she said. “It was a quick one.
“I didn’t think too much of what happened last week (in New Haven). I was just focused on what I had to do today.
“I played okay ... but I can still improve.”
Gavrilova is back on court today to play another American, world No.62 Shelby Rogers – a surprise French Open semi-finalist last year.
“She’s obviously going to have home support. I know this girl pretty well. It’s obviously going to be challenging,” Gavrilova said.
“She’s got a pretty big game but I’m just going to get out there and do what I have to do.”
Barty continued her breakthrough season by seeing off Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1 7-6 (9-7), progressing to the final 32 at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Already guaranteed to see her ranking jump into the top 40, Barty will next play American Sloane Stephens.
Rodionova lost to Dutchwoman Richel Hogenkamp 7-5 7-5, and Tomljanovic went down to Serbian Aleksandra Krunic 6-3 6-2.