(2023) Pattinama-Kerkhove down; stunt win for Stevens and Vedder

Lesley Pattinama-Kerkhove failed to win her first-round match.

The wildcard player from the province of Zeeland was stopped by Kimberly Birrell: 6-1 6-4. The Australian now faces a tough task in the second round, where titleholder and fourth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova awaits.

Court 5 became the stage for a memorable win for Eva Vedder and Lexie Stevens.

The wildcard pair stunted against fourth-seeded world champions Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova: 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 10-8. Remarkably, Kudermetova and Samsonova placed first and second respectively in the singles.

Things went less well for Sander Arends and David Pel.

The home players, also admitted with a wildcard, faced too strong a pair in Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler: 7-6(6) 7-5(5). The Australian team caused a stir earlier this year by winning the Australian Open at home. This week, they are seeded fourth.