Tokyo, September 17: Garbine Muguruza avoided a first-round exit at the Tokyo Open, coming through a tough opening assignment against Belinda Bencic in straight sets.
The two-time grand slam champion, who went into the match 4-4 in her last eight matches since a run to the semi-finals of the French Open, needed only an hour and 24 minutes to beat the Swiss 6-2, 6-4.
But the Spaniard suggested the scoreline flattered her somewhat, saying: "It was a very difficult first round. She's a tough player with incredible wins. Today [Monday] was tough but I'm glad to win.
"I like to play here. In the past I've done well, so I'm positive this year that I can do well again and go far."
Next up for Muguruza will be either Eugenie Bouchard or Alison Riske, the world number 14 aiming to win back-to-back matches for the first time since Roland Garros.
Dominika Cibulkova will serve as US Open champion Naomi Osaka's first opponent since her triumph at Flushing Meadows after coming through a see-saw battle with Nao Hibino 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.
For the 1st time in 80 years, back-to-back seasons produced 8 different Slam champions.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 10, 2018
Note age spread (at time of win):
2017
AO - Serena, 35
RG - Ostapenko, 20
W - Muguruza, 23
USO - Stephens, 24
2018
AO - Wozniacki, 27
RG - Halep, 26
W - Kerber, 30
USO - Osaka, 20
Camila Giorgi saw off Misaki Doi in much more straightforward fashion, claiming a 6-2, 6-1 victory, earning the Italian a clash with top seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was a straight-sets winner over Aliaksandra Sasnovich and will face second seed Caroline Garcia next, while Daria Gavrilova won a third-set tie-break against Kristyna Pliskova to book a second-round clash with her sister Karolina Pliskova and Anett Kontaveit beat Kristina Mladenovic.
Find the best IPL odds at 10Cric! Bet on all matches directly from your mobile phone.
Play casino in India at 7Jackpots, and enjoy real money games with fast and secure withdrawal options.