Svetlana Kuznetsova survives scare to make winning return in Lugano
Former world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova made a successful return in Lugano, but Ekaterina Alexandrova made her work for it.
Kuznetsova has been missing from the WTA since September due to a knee injury, and appeared to be heading to defeat at the hands of the sixth seed.
However, she was able to rally after losing the opening set and battled to a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(8-6) success.
The Russian will now face either Timea Bacsinszky or Tamara Korpatch in the second round.
Elsewhere, fourth seed Alison Van Uytvanck recovered from a second-set bagel to advance against Tereza Smitkova 6-2, 0-6, 6-4.
Top seed Belinda Bencic is set to get her campaign underway on Tuesday when she faces Antonia Lottner.
Second-seed Carla Suarez Navarro faces Polona Hercog, and Viktoria Kuzmova is in action against Giulia Gatto-Monticone.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
T365 Recall: When Serena Williams cemented her greatness at the 2015 Miami Open
-
-
Storylines from the 2019 tennis season so far: Featuring Roger Federer, Bianca Andreescu and more
-
Comment: Naomi Osaka is clearly struggling, but she’s certainly no flash in the pan
-
Five NextGen stars who are poised to dethrone Roger Federer and friends
-
Latest
-
French OpenAlexander Zverev flexes his muscles as he storms into French Open quarter-finals
Zverev is through to the last eight at a third straight slam and will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
-
French OpenRoland Garros bids farewell to two legends but will Federer and Williams return?
The story of the eighth day of action at the French Open.
-
NewsTara Moore beats Eden Silva to set up clash with Heather Watson in Nottingham
Moore faces another all-British clash at the Viking Open.
-
News‘I’m in a much better place than when I got here,’ says Serena Williams after French Open exit
Williams’ search for a 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on.
-
NewsStefanos Tsitsipas ready for another testing battle against Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev defeated Tsitsipas at the Australian Open.
-
NewsSerena Williams slips out of French Open contention as Elena Rybakina sends her packing
The Kazakh outplayed the American to secure a place in her first Slam quarter-final.
-
French OpenVictoria Azarenka takes aim at French Open over gender inequality, saying ‘we need to hold people accountable’
Victoria Azarenka unimpressed by French tennis officials.
-
News‘It’s important that I listen to my body,’ says Roger Federer as he confirms French Open withdrawal
Roger Federer has made Wimbledon the focus of his comeback.
-
NewsJohanna Konta reveals she has parted company with coach Dimitri Zavialoff ahead of grass-court season
British No 1 wants to go in a different direction.
-
News2021 grass-court tennis season up and running after ‘monumental undertaking’
Sunday saw the start of the Viking Open Nottingham.