Bertens opens against friend Larsson

Kiki Bertens’s opponent in the first round of the Libéma Open 2019 is a familiar face. Johanna Larsson emerged as her opponent during the draw, which was partly carried out by Bertens herself.

“It is not really nice to play against your former doubles partner and good friend, but I know her way of playing very well. We are going to make the best of it,” said the player from Wateringen with mixed feelings during the ceremony. When she wins she will have to take on a compatriot. Wild card players Bibiane Schoofs and Arantxa Rus will play against each other in the first round.

After she had to give up in the second round at Roland Garros (stomach flu), Bertens is recovering and ready to lead the strong line-up as first seed at the Autotron.

“It hasn’t often happened that I was first seed. It is a challenge for me to see how I will handle it and how far I will get on home ground. After Paris I stayed in bed for a few days, but I am getting stronger by the day. I was able to play many hours on grass and I feel good.”