Broady wins first set but crashes out in Luxembourg

Naomi Broady lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to France’s Pauline Parmentier in their qualifying round match at the Luxembourg Open.

The British No 3, who is ranked 132 in the world, made a strong start and produced eight aces but was unable to maintain her challenge with her service proving vulnerable in the decisive third set.

Parmentier now enters the first round of the hard court tournament in Luxembourg, which got underway yesterday.

Third seed Anett Kontaveit of Estonia had a straightforward 6-0, 6-2 victory over Slovakia’s Jana Cepelova, while Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 5 seed, beat Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain by exactly the same scoreline.

In Moscow, Alize Cornet of France beat hometown favourite Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-3 at the Kremlin Cup yesterday to set up a possible second-round meeting with Maria Sharapova.

Cornet won a frantic match which included five consecutive breaks of serve in the first set.

Her victory means she will play Sharapova if the Russian beats Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia today. Also in the first round, Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic needed just 49 minutes to beat Donna Vekic of Croatia 6-0, 6-2.

In the men’s draw, Israel’s Dudi Sela had a straight sets win over Borna Coric in the first round. Sela is ranked 72 in the world, 16 places below his opponent, but won 6-3, 6-2. Alexander Bublik eased past Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-4 and Indian qualifier Yuki Bhambri defeated Roman Paviullin 6-2, 6-4.

In Antwerp, veteran Ivo Karlovic came from a set down to reach the second round of the European Open. The Croatian, now 38, defeated Guido Pella 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (12/10).

Belgian hope Ruben Bemelmans was also taken to three sets as he edged Peter Gojowczyk 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2). Frenchman Julien Benneateau’s opponent Nikoloz Basilashvili retired through injury after losing the first set.