SANTA PONSA/CALVIA, 17 June, 2016
With the top half in action, the second round of the €250,000 WTA Mallorca Open concluded on Thursday. The tournament’s number three Ana Ivanovic cruised past Spanish wild card Sara Sorribes Tormo, winning 6-1, 6-0. The 28-year-old Serbian didn’t face a break point, converting five of her own to prevail in only 51 minutes.
“Honestly, grass is not my favorite surface,” Ivanovic said in her post-match press-conference, “but I’ve loved playing in Mallorca. I really hope I can keep playing well to stay long. The courts and crowd are really nice, so it’s a good feeling.”
The only 19-year-old Spaniard played against her childhood idol.
“I remember the first time I played the Williams sisters,” the Serbian added, “you’re a little bit overwhelmed playing someone you used to look up to. But she’s very young still, and had some good strokes. Hopefully she can get better and move into the top of the game.”
Ivanovic will next play sixth seed Caroline Garcia, who defeated Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-4, 7-6. The 22-year-old from France converted two of her three break point opportunities to advance in one hour and 32 minutes.
“Maybe I played the important points better, but it was very tight. That’s grass also, and why you have to stay focused on every point. It’s a very different game, but good to have it for a month – just a month though!
“It’s good weather and I like when it’s hot. It was two tight sets, but you need a lot of energy on grass and a lot of focus. So every point is very important; I’m happy to be through in two sets,” Garcia told afterwards and added of the surface:
“It’s not very natural for me. I have to say that the grass here is drier than it usually is in England, so it’s a little bit more comfortable for me. I feel safer on the court and the ball is bouncing higher, especially on my second serve. For your first tournament on grass, you don’t expect much, but I hope to keep going.”
Kirsten Flipkens gained her third win over Monica Puig in as many meetings. The 30-year-old from Belgium won 76% of her first service points to seal a 6-3, 6-4 victory in one hour and 12 minutes, facing Veronica Cepede Royg next. The qualifier from Paraguay knocked out seventh favourite Laura Siegemund 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 42 minutes.
