Juvan upsets top seed at Palermo
Palermo (Italy), Aug. 5: Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan upset second-seeded Markta Vondrouov of the Czech Republic 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the Palermo Ladies Open, the first official tennis tournament since March.
Vondrouov won the first set in just 29 minutes and then came from 4-0 down in the second to take a 5-4 lead and was just two points away from winning the match before Juvan recovered. Juvan took another 40 lead in the third set and secured the match when Vondrouov hit a forehand into the net. It was her first career win against a top-20 ranked opponent.
A limited number of fans were allowed into the 1,500seat stadium court and had to follow social distancing measures.
There are also strict rules for the players, such as handling their own towels, not shaking hands with their opponents, and no autographs or photos with fans.
Juvan was spoken to by the umpire after throwing items including her visor and wristbands to the crowd.
Juvan will next face Camila Giorgi, who became the fourth Italian to progress to the second round after beating Rebecca Peterson 7-5, 6-4.
Sara Errani, Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini won their firstround matches on Monday.
Top-seeded Petra Martic eased into the second round with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Alison Van Uytvanck. The Croatian will face Russian qualifier Ludmilla Samsonova, who beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-2.
But fifth-seeded Elise Mertens lost 4-6, 1-6 to qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich.