Palermo(Agencies):Tour-level
tennis resumed after a five-month enforced break on Monday, and players at the
Palermo Ladies Open had to handle their own towels and not shake hands of
opponents.
The strict rules because of
the coronavirus included no showers on site, and no autographs or photos with
fans. Players in the singles main draw come from 16 European countries and
Argentina.
A limited number of fans were
allowed into the 1,500-seat stadium court and had to follow social distancing
measures.
They watched sixth-seeded
Donna Vekic of Croatia beat Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-1 6-2 in windy
conditions in the first official match — for men or women — since early March.
"I'm definitely happy I
didn't forget how to play tennis, how to play matches, how to win," Vekic
said in a video conference.
"It's a huge relief so
I'm really happy right now.
"It was definitely a bit
strange. I was really nervous yesterday, even more today, but after the first
few games I just kind of relaxed and I was focused."
Vekic sealed a place in the
second round on her second match point, breaking for the sixth time in the
match when Rus hit a forehand wide.
Vekic will next face Italian
teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia 7-6(1) 6-3
for her first victory over a player ranked in the top 50.
But beyond this week Vekic has
little idea if her plans could change as the pandemic continues to affect
events worldwide.
Vekic is hoping to compete in
the US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals last year, and the French Open
as well as Rome.
"Things are changing
every week so I think we just have to take it week by week and try to adapt as
best as we can, and hope to play as much as we can," Vekic said.
"The uncertainty gives
everyone a lot of anxiety."
The US Open is scheduled to
begin August 31, and the French Open from September 27.
Laura Siegemund of Germany
also eased through in straight sets, beating Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-3
6-4.
Siegemund next faces either
fourth-seeded Anett Kontaveit or Patricia Maria.
It was harder for Sara Errani,
the only previous champion in the draw. The 2012 winner took nearly three hours
to secure a 7-5 1-6 6-4 success over Sorana Cîrstea of Romania.
The Italian next faces
Kristýna PlÃÅ¡ková or third-seeded Maria Sakkari.
A third Italian is also
through to the second round after Jasmine Paolini rallied from a set and a
break down to beat Daria Kasatkina of Russia 5-7 6-4 6-4.
In other results, eighth-seeded
Ekaterina Alexandrova also recovered from a set down to beat Kristina
Mladenovic 5-7 6-0 6-1 and seventh-seeded Dayana Yastremska triumphed 6-3 6-4
over Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Players and anyone who comes
into contact with players were tested for COVID-19 before they departed for
Palermo, upon arrival, and then again every four days.
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