Two points from defeat, Margarita Gasparyan hits back to upset Viktoria Kuzmova

Shahida Jacobs
Margarita Gasparyan

Margarita Gasparyan found herself two points from defeat against Viktoria Kuzmova, but then staged a brilliant comeback to secure an upset win at the Libema Open.

The Russian, playing on grass for the first time in three years, was staring defeat in the face as she was down 2-6, 4-5 (0-30 with seventh seed Kuzmova serving), but got herself out of trouble to win 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes.

“It was such a tough match, I’m happy I came through!” Gasparyan said after the match. “I love grass, I love to play on grass.”

She added: “I felt not so good [at the start]. I had some stupid mistakes. But I start to play more aggressive, and it worked.”

The 24-year-old will face Greetje Minnen, who secured a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Mona Barthel, in the second round.

Veronika Kudermetova also advanced as she beat Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-4, Arantxa Rus was a 7-5, 6-4 winner over Bibiane Schoofs while Elena Rybakina beat Varvara Lepchenko 6-1, 6-2.

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