Google News Hobart International: Sloane Stephens exits in 1R; no. 1 seed Marie Bouzkova advances
by ABBEY JOHNSON
Sloane Stephens crashed out in the first round of the Hobart International on Monday. Seeded fourth, Stephens lost to fellow American, Lauren Davis, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 28 minutes. Davis won 66% of her first-serve points to Stephens’ 50% and 55% of her second-serve points.
She also won 60% points on return on the former US Open champion’s second serve. Davis also converted five of the 11 break points that came her way while saving six of the seven break points she faced. The world no. 84 will play either Tamara Zidansek or Ysaline Bonaventure next.
Stephens was the only seed to exit in the opening round of the WTA 250 event.
Hobart International: Anhelina Kalinina takes a spot in R16
Top seed Marie Bouzkova came from 2-5 down in the first set to claim a win against Jaqueline Cristian in the first round.
The Czech won 7-6(2), 6-3 in two hours and seven minutes. Bouzkova converted six of 10 break points on the Romanian’s serve and saved three of six break points she faced. Bouzkova won 66% of her first-serve points and 46% of her second-serve points.
In the second round, Bouzkova could play either Lucia Bronzetti or Anna Blinkova. Xinyu Wang ousted local wildcard Olivia Gadecki in their first-round match-up. The Chinese player needed an hour and 52 minutes to post a 6-4, 7-5 win.
Wang will take on either Alison Van Uytvanck or seventh seed, Magda Linette for a chance to reach the quarter-finals. Tatjana Maria also ended the hopes of another Australian wildcard, Talia Gibson, in the first round. The 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win in 72 minutes against Gibson.
The German’s next opponent will be fifth seed Anhelina Kalinina. The Ukrainian needed only 63 minutes to wrap up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Canadian Rebecca Marino. Kalinina saved all three break points she faced while converting five of eight break points she had on her opponent’s serve.
Jasmine Paolini and Laura Siegemund also reached the second round of the Hobart International. The Italian notched a 6-3, 6-1 win over Patricia-Maria Tig while the German came from down a set to defeat Tereza Martincova, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Paolini will play fellow countrywoman, Elisabetta Cocciaretto or third seed, Alize Cornet next. Siegemund could play an American in either sixth seed Bernarda Pera, or Madison Brengle.