Google News Portoroz Open: Top seed Petra Martic upset; 2nd seed Yulia Putintseva moves into 2R
by ABBEY JOHNSON
There were a few upsets on Tuesday at the Portoroz Open. Top seed Petra Martic crashed out in the first round. Slovenian Kaja Juvan took out the Croatian 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 26 minutes. Juvan saved seven of the eight break points she faced while converting three break points, on Martic’s serve.
Juvan won 70 points for the match while Martic finished with 54. Speaking with the press after her win, as quoted by the tournament website, Juvan said, “I stuck to my plan. Petra serves very well, but I myself have been very focused from the start.
With her kick serve, her ball really bounces high. So, I stood back a bit. I also believed in my service all the time, I believed that I was also good in exchanges… I lost closely in the doubles game yesterday (on Monday), so I said to myself – this is not going to happen today.
I feel like I’m already at such a level that I can play with all the best players. But I am still learning. However, it is now necessary to maintain this consistency for longer, for several days in a row. I feel at home. I’m glad the fans came and cheered for me”.
Juvan will take on Serbian qualifier Aleksandra Krunic in the second round. Krunic ousted Slovenian wildcard Ziva Falkner 6-3, 6-1 in the first round.
Portoroz Open: Mixed results for Italians
Top-ranked Slovenian and fifth seed, Tamara Zidansek advanced to the second round with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Italian qualifier, Cristiana Ferrando.
The 2021 French Open semi-finalist will play Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the quarter-finals. The Ukrainian defeated Cerrando’s compatriot, Sara Errani 7-6(4), 6-2 in the first round. Another Italian, Lucia Bronzetti, reached the second round with an upset over seventh seed Rebecca Peterson.
Bronzetti, who qualified for the main draw, won 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 41 minutes. Bronzetti will play Bernarda Pera next. Bronzetti’s compatriot, Jasmine Paolini also reached the second round after her opponent, the sixth-seeded Dayana Yastremska retired mid-match.
Paolini was leading the Ukrainian 7-6(4), 4-1 at the time of the latter’s retirement. Paolini will play Anna Kalinskaya in the second round. The Russian defeated Danka Kovinic 6-0, 6-4 in their opening-round match. Second seed Yulia Putintseva clinched a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jaqueline Cristian in the first round.
The Kazakh will take on British qualifier Katie Boulter for a place in the quarters. Boulter defeated Katarina Zavatska 7-5, 6-3. Third seed Alison Riske also advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Slovenian wildcard, Pia Lovric.
The American will take on Viktoria Kuzmova in the round-of-16. Kuzmova prevailed against fellow qualifier Tereza Mrdeza. Lastly, Tereza Martincova also reached the second round at the Portoroz Open. The Czech defeated Kristina Kucova 6-4, 6-1 and will play fourth seed Sorana Cirstea next.