Pliskova makes winning return
● After a five-month hitaus, the women’s tour-level tennis resumed at the Palermo Ladies Open with strict protocols in places post the Pandemic. ● The players had to handle their own set of towels, not allowed to shower and are no shake hands with their o
Palermo (Italy), Aug. 4: Tour-level tennis resumed after a five-month enforced break on Monday, and players at the Palermo Ladies Open had to handle their own towels and not shake hands of opponents.
The strict rules because of the Coronavirus included no showers on site, and no autographs or photos with fans. Players in the singles main draw come from 16 European countries and Argentina..
A limited number of fans were allowed into the 1,500seat stadium court.
They watched sixth-seeded Donna Vekic of Croatia beat Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-2 in windy conditions in the first official match — for men or women — since early March.
Vekic sealed a place in the second round on her second match point.
Vekic will next face Italian teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia 7-6 (1), 6-3 for her first victory over a player ranked in the top 50.
Laura Siegemund of Germany also eased through in straight sets, beating Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-3, 6-4. It was harder for Sara Errani, the only previous champion in in the draw. The 2012 winner took nearly three hours to secure a 75, 1-6, 6-4 success over Sorana Cirstea.
The Italian next faces Kristna Pliskova who upest third-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-4.
A third Italian is also through to the second round after Jasmine Paolini rallied from a set and a break down to beat Daria Kasatkina of Russia 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.