Keys Cruises, Brady Is Back, Set Wed. Meeting In Washington; Gauff, Svitolina Tomorrow
A super second round matchup was set Tuesday in Washington as both former Grand Slam finalists Madison Keys and Jennifer Brady moved on to a Wednesday showdown.
Brady, playing her first tour-level match in nearly two years, powered past Anhelina Kalinina with ease 6-2, 6-1. From 2-all in the first, Brady won 10 of the next 11 games.
“I’m pretty happy with the way I came out, handled my emotions, stayed true to my game plan, and was able to come out with a win,” Brady told the WTA.
“Tennis is a part of who I am, and I hope I never lose that. I’m happy to just be out here competing with the best.”
Now 28, Brady, a former Australian Open finalist, was hit with a left foot and a right knee injury which has kept her off tour.
Up next will be Keys who ousted the 20-year-old Qinwen Zheng of China 7-5, 6-1. Zheng was plagued by 10 double faults in the loss.
Local hope Hailey Baptiste had the win of the day upsetting 31-year-old Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 0-6, 6-3.
Also, former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez sent out Bernarda Pera of the United States 6-3, 7-5. Sorana Cirstea of Romania got the better of Petra Martic in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(15-13) and Peyton Stearns dismissed Poland’s Magdalena Frech in straights 6-1, 6-4.
On Wednesday, No. 3 Coco Gauff opens up action against Baptiste in a first-time tour-level clash.
“I’ve grown up with [Gauff], we played doubles once in juniors but never played against each other,” Baptiste said. “I’m really excited to play and see how that turns out.”
No. 5 Daria Kasatkina collides with resurgent Elina Svitolina, No. 6 Belinda Bencic will battle Lauren Davis and No. 8 Liudmila Samsonova continues her title defense against Cirstea.
You Might Like:
Gauff Wins Washington Opener, Svitolina Advances, Keys Breezes Past Brady
Pegula, Gauff Headline WTA Washington Field; Brady Back, Azarenka v Svitolina
Pegula Outlasts Svitolina, Gauff Blows Out Bencic In Washington
After Withdrawals, Kvitova, Pliskova, Brady Lead Doha Field
Andreescu Ups Win Streak To 16, Brady Upsets Keys In Beijing