LINZ, October 12, 2016

The top seeds of the WTA Generali Ladies Linz stepped into action on Wednesday when the tournament’s number one Garbine Muguruza beat Cagla Buyukakcay from Turkey 6-4, 6-4.

The world number six from Spain converted four of her five break point chances to advance in one hour and 37 minutes.

“It was a tough first round. I think we both played well, so it was a battle out there, and a great feeling to start the tournament with a win like this,” said Muguruza, who is making her tournament debut in Austria’s third largest city.

“I was looking forward to Linz because it’s new for me, new city, new tournament. I don’t play a lot of new tournaments, so I was excited. I just try to go out there and do my best, try to win somehow, playing my tennis and being aggressive. It’s funny because it when there’s no win, everyone plays perfect. The conditions makes things equal.” Muguruza will next take on Monica Niculesco from Romania.

Second favourite Dominika Cibulkova also started her title bid with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory over Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic. The world number 10 from Slovakia capitalized on all of her six break point opportunities to finish the encounter in 69 minutes. Next up for Cibulkova will be Annika Beck of Germany.

Third seed Madison Keys edged past Camila Giorgi, winning 6-3, 6-4. The 21-year-old from the United States, who entered the tournament with a wild card, sent down six aces and prevailed after one hour and 19 minutes to set a second round meeting with Misaki Doi.

Carla Suárez Navarro emerged victorious from the all-Spanish-second round-battle with Sara Sorribes Tormo. The fourth seed won 61 per cent of her first service points to seal a 6-4, 6-1 win in 71 minutes. In the quarterfinals Suárez Navarro will take on either Denisa Alltertova or Anett Kontaveit.