Strong start for top-seeded Pegula

Number one seed Jessica Pegula got off to a good start at Libéma Open. The American opened the centre court programme on Tuesday with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Pegula, world number five, played on the Brabant grass for the first time in 2015. Notably, it marked her first ever appearance at a grass tournament at WTA level. Ten years later, she has made a winning comeback and may face none other than Aleksandra Krunic in the second round, who needed three sets against qualifier Jessika Ponchet: 4-6 6-2 6-1.

The Serbian won the title in 2018 and is child’s play at the Autotron ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Sixth-ranked Yue Yuan also played a three-setter. The Chinese made a comeback against Diana Shnaider: 1-6 6-4 6-3.