Elise Mertens and Kiki Bertens advance; Bernard Tomic claims rare ATP win

Elise Mertens and Kiki Bertens secured contrasting wins at the Libema Open while on the men’s side Bernard Tomic also made a winning start.
Second seed Mertens broke twice in both sets to beat Poland’s Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-4 and set up a second-round encounter with Antonia Lottner after the German claimed a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Anna Blinkova.
.@elise_mertens completes the straight set win over Polona Hercog!
Booking her place in second round 6-2 6-4! #LibenaOpen pic.twitter.com/Qz5hT8eO0n
— WTA (@WTA) June 12, 2018
Third seed Bertens had a more difficult afternoon as she was taken to three sets by Natalia Vikhlyantseva before running out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) winner.
Dutchwoman Bertens will face Kirsten Flipkens next after Belgian beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-0.
Belinda Bencic also advanced as she secured a 6-2, 6-4 win over Tereza Martincova, but the fourth-seeded Kontaveit crashed out as she was beaten by 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) by qualifier Veronika Kudermetova.
In the men’s draw, Tomic secured his first ATP Tour win since October 2017 as he beat Kevin King 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 23 minutes to set up a second-round clash with Robin Haase.
His fellow Australian Matthew Ebden secured a 6-2, 6-3 victory over American lucky loser Tim Smyczek.
Meanwhile, Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed his first-ever ATP Tour win on grass as he beat John-Patrick Smith of Australia 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“It feels great to be back on grass, I’ve been waiting for this season for a very long time,” the 19-year-old said. “I have had some good memories in the past, winning [Junior] Wimbledon doubles and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to perform today in [front of] such a big crowd on Centre Court and play my best in the second and third sets.”
Eighth seed Andreas Seppi was the biggest casualty as he was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by American wild card Mackenzie McDonald.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Does Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina: Why the quiet girl is set to dominate Grand Slam tennis
Elena Rybakina could be an all-timer.
-
Tennis News
Mats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make ’10 grand slam finals’
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-3 to set up a final with Belarusian fifth-seed Sabalenka.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open day 11: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach women’s final
The story of the 11th day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
News
Aryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final
Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic plunged into fresh controversy and he needs to fix it quickly
Novak Djokovic needs to do all he can to clean up the mess created by his father as quickly as possible.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Andy Murray shares hilarious mock lipreading video from Thanasi Kokkinakis clash
Andy Murray saw the funny side of a TikTok video from his Australian Open second round win.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic still motivated by Rafael Nadal rivalry
That Grand Slam record is on Novak Djokovic’s mind for sure.
-
News
Elena Rybakina clinches straight sets semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final at the Australian Open.