Monkey off her back
Kerkhove finally wins a WTA Tour first-round match
KUALA LUMPUR: Holland’s Lesley Kerkhove finally pulled off her first-ever opening round win on the WTA Tour.
And the 25-year-old, who turned professional in 2009, did it in style as she overcame seventh seed Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) at the ALYA WTA Malaysian Open.
Before last night’s breakthrough at the TPC Kuala Lumpur, Kerkhove was a first-round casualty on four other occasions.
The world No. 195 had to sweat for her win. She nearly squandered her chance as she allowed world No. 69 Mertens to come back despite leading 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set.
But Kerkhove, who came through two qualifying rounds, kept her cool during the tie-break to seal the win in 85 minutes.
“I made some different shots in the second set ... perhaps I was getting a little nervous,” said Kerkhove.
“But I’m really happy to have close it out in straight sets as I had a tough time in the qualifying rounds.
“To win my first match on the WTA Tour is definitely a very special feeling.
“I haven’t given it much thought before this but I’m happy to be in the second round. I feel that I’m playing well at the moment too.”
Kerkhove will meet either 2012 winner Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan or fellow qualifier Sabina Sharipova of Uzbekistan in the second round.
It was also a sweet start for China’s Zheng Saisai as she finally won a match in the main draw in Malaysia.
The 23-year-old Saisai, who is a proven doubles specialist, got it right in her seventh attempt by beating compatriot Zhu Lin 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-3.
The world No. 111, a wildcard entrant, is up against either compatriot Wang Qiang or Serbian Nina Stojanovic in the second round.
“I’ve been to Malaysia so many times but I’ve always lost in the first round. I’m really happy to pull off the win this time. Hopefully I’ll go on to do well,” said Saisai.
Fifth seed Duan Yingying of China also powered into the second round after beating Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-3.