Kiki Bertens ‘feeling good again’ as she kicks off grass campaign, Aryna Sabalenka stunned

Kiki Bertens returned to action on Tuesday following her French Open disappointment, dispatching Johanna Larsson with ease in the opening round of the Libema Open.
The Dutchwoman was one of the pre-tournament favourites at Roland Garros, but she was forced to retire from her second-round match due to illness.
After taking some time off, she was back in action at her home event and dropped only four games as she beat Larsson 6-3, 6-1.
A wonderful performance from @kikibertens!
The No.1 seed defeats Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-1.#LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/dt5ZbsP0kp
— WTA (@WTA) June 11, 2019
“I was five days in bed [after Roland Garros], so physically it wasn’t the best preparation for grass,” Bertens told WTAtennis.com. “But I had so many days so I could still recover well, and so today there was no issue. My body is feeling good again.”
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka was sent packing by wildcard teenager Destanee Aiava with the Australian securing a 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-4 win to claim her first-ever victory over a top 10 player.
🇦🇺 @destaneeaiava overpowered Sabalenka 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4 at the #LibemaOpen 💪 pic.twitter.com/wiJ5nUQbEu
— WTA (@WTA) June 11, 2019
“It was a really long and tough match. I knew going into the match that it was going to be a big challenge,” Aiava said.
“[Her ranking] was playing on my mind before the match. Going into it, I just wanted to go for it and not waste the wildcard that the tournament gave me. I just wanted to take this opportunity and use it.”
Third seed Elise Mertens was another first-round casualty as was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, but fourth seed Lesia Tsurenko had no such problems as she beat Kristyna Pliskova 6-4, 6-4 while the ninth-seeded Alison van Uytvanck secured a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win over Yafan Wang.
Meanwhile, French Open semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova pulled out of the tournament as she needs more time to recover.
“Unfortunately, I will need more rest and recovery and I will not be able to compete at my best so I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Libéma Open,” she said in a statement.
“This was my first visit to the Netherlands, and I hope to come back next year and play in front of the amazing fans.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Mats Wilander and John McEnroe give their verdicts on Rafael Nadal’s latest French Open win
-
Wimbledon 2019: Five young stars who could shine at the All England Club
-
Tennis365’s Legends of Roland Garros number one: Rafael Nadal
-
Comment: Serena Williams’ dismissal of Dominic Thiem damages tennis’ equality cause
-
T365 Recall: How Roger Federer magically won the 2009 French Open title
-
Latest
-
News
Novak Djokovic hits back at allegations of being ‘selfish, difficult and ungrateful’
Djokovic says he finds it tough to be ‘a mere onlooker’.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open boss defends ‘better deal’ for the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams
Big-name players self-isolating in Adelaide.
-
ATP Tour
Rotterdam Open boss reveals delight as ‘one of his all-time favourite players’ Rafael Nadal joins field
Rafael Nadal will return to Rotterdam.
-
Australian Open
Roberto Bautista Agut says quotes comparing quarantine to ‘jail, but with WiFi’ was ‘taken out of context’
Roberto Bautista Agut issues an apology.
-
News
More coronavirus cases linked to arrivals for Australian Open
Australian Open boss said the safety of the Victorian community will not be compromised.
-
Tennis News
Big boost for LTA’s innovation drive as it signs deal with UK distributor of the Slinger Bag
LTA signs deal with Framework Sports & Marketing Ltd.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open chief defends Novak Djokovic over quarantine note, saying ‘they were suggestions’
Craig Tiley jumps to Novak Djokovic’s defence.
-
News
Quarantine remains in place for 72 players ahead of Australian Open
Two Covid-19 cases have been deemed viral shedding.
-
Kevin Palmer
EXCLUSIVE – British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith recalls sitting next to Judy Murray as her son won Wimbledon
We talk to Leon Smith about his coaching journey.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open tension boiling over as players, pundits, ex-pros, fans involved in social media spats
It’s all kicking off on social media.