Google News Transylvania Open: Simona Halep, Anett Kontaveit begin campaign on a winning note
by ABBEY JOHNSON | VIEW 2594
Simona Halep and Anett Kontaveit, the top seeds at the Transylvania Open, started off on a successful note as they reached the second round on Wednesday. Top seed Halep defeated compatriot, Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 13 minutes.
Halep won 83% of her first-serve points to Ruse’s 53%. She also won 55% of her second-serve points to her opponent’s 40%. The former world no. 1 saved the only break point she faced while taking four of the eight break point chances that came her way.
Halep finished the match with 63 points to Ruse’s 38. For a place in the quarterfinals, Halep will take on Varvara Gracheva.
Transylvania Open: Anett Kontaveit's quest towards Mexico continues
Earlier, the second-seeded Kontaveit completed a 6-3, 7-5 win over Aleksandra Krunic in their opening-round face-off.
The Estonian broke the Serbian’s serve thrice while losing her serve only once – in the sole break point she faced – in the second set. Kontaveit won 76% of her first-serve points to Krunic’s 68% and 64% of her second-serve points to the latter’s 45%.
Kontaveit, who’s trying to qualify for the WTA Finals in Guadalajara on the back of a good showing here in Cluj-Napoca this week, has now won 11 consecutive matches indoors. Of the 24 matches she’s played most recently; she’s now won 22 of them.
Next up for Kontaveit is Alison Van Uytvanck. Fifth seed Ajla Tomljanovic was the sole upset of the day in Romania. Home player, Jaqueline Cristian defeated the Australian 7-6(5), 7-5 in two hours and 11 minutes in their pre-quarterfinal clash.
If Halep wins her second-round match, she and Cristian will take on each other for a spot in the semi-finals. Ukrainians Lesia Tsurenko and Anhelina Kalinina reached the quarterfinals at the Transylvania Open after coming through in their respective second-round matches.
Tsurenko defeated Anastasia Gasanova 6-2, 7-5 and now awaits either Irina Bara or Rebecca Peterson. Meanwhile, the eighth-seeded Kalinina ousted Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-2, 6-2. If Anett Kontaveit gets through to the quarterfinals, Kalinina will be her next opponent. Photo Credit: Transylvania Open Twitter
