Wins for Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza, Victoria Azarenka

The seeds have made a good start to the Abierto GNP Seguros with Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza and Victoria Azarenka all advancing.
Top seed Kerber initially looked like she would be in for a tough match as Kristina Kucova took her to a tie-breaker in the opening set, but she eventually ran away with things to claim a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win.
.@AngeliqueKerber slides into the @Abierto_GNP second round!
Takes a 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Kucova! pic.twitter.com/DW6ij1Z30O
— WTA (@WTA) April 3, 2019
“I was expecting a tough match, because I’ve played her many times already. She’s a tough opponent,” Kerber said during a post-match interview.
“I was trying to play a good match, play aggressive. I’m so happy to be back here in Monterrey. I’m feeling like home here. It’s great to have a good first round.
“I was twice here in the final, really close, and I will try and play every single match the best that I can play.”
Up next for the three-time Grand Slam winner is Czech Karolina Muchova, who beat Xu Shilin 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
Second seed Muguruza also didn’t have it all her own way against Elena-Gabriela Ruse as she held off the lucky loser with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win.
The Spaniard twice battled back from a break down in the second set before closing it out in the tie-breaker.
“It was a tough match for the first first round, it was very late, it’s cold,. With all the conditions, I just had to fight and never lose the hope,” the two-time Grand Slam winner, who will face Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan in the second round, said.
“I have five matches in total. Today was the first one, and I’m looking forward [to a title defence], one by one.”
Third seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova had an easier day at the office as she beat Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3 while fifth seed Victoria Azarenka was a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Miyu Kato.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
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
-
Comment: Are we not entertained? ‘Box Office’ Nick Kyrgios is just what tennis needs
-
-
Revealed: Extravagantly expensive tickets prices affecting attendances at Miami Open
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer sends his fans into a frenzy with Twitter post ahead of his return to action
Roger Federer fans are counting down to his return to action in Doha next week and his tweet teasing his return instantly became a big hit.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek’s perfect week as she claims her second WTA title
Iga Swiatek won her second career WTA title with victory over Belinda Bencic in the final of the Adelaide International.
-
News
Jamie Murray says quarantine threat on tour means players must be ready to adapt
The doubles specialist plans to travel to tournaments in Mexico and Miami next month without knowing what to expect on arrival.
-
Tennis News
Battle of the Brits event is back and this time with spectators
The Battle of the Brits events were a huge success during the Covid-19 crisis and now they are set to return with spectators.
-
Tennis Features
The only way is up for Naomi Osaka as she looks to replicate hard-court success on clay and grass
Oli Jefford on the world being Naomi Osaka’s oyster.
-
Kevin Palmer
Britain’s strength in depth in doubles highlights quality of structure
British tennis may be wondering who can replace Andy Murray, but they have a very different story to tell in the doubles arena.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal pulls out of his next event due to ‘ongoing’ back problem
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ABN…
-
Tennis News
Lleyton Hewitt to be inducted into International Tennis Hall Of Fame
Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt is the latest player who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
-
Tennis Features
Five of the best men’s matches at the Australian Open featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Rafael Nadal, and more
The matches that made us sit up and take note.
-
Australian Open
Five of the best women’s matches at Australian Open featuring Naomi Osaka vs Garbine Muguruza, and more
Five of the best women’s singles matches at the 2021 Aus Open.