ORTISEI, December 4, 2016

Alice Zapolla and Tersa Schwienbacher headlined Sunday’s first round qualifying action at the $10,000 Raiffeisen ITF Val Gardena, held at the Tennis Club in Ortisei. The 21-year-old emerged victorious from the all-Italian-encounter, winning 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.

Teresa Schwienbacher (photo: Marco Wanker)

Zapolla won 61 per cent of her second serves and capitalized on five of her 14 break point chances to prevail in two hours and 22 minutes. She will next take on Jana Jais from Germany.

Elisa Crazzolara is the only player from South Tyrol, who made it into the second round of the qualifying. The 25-year-old defeated only 17-year-old Sophie Walzl 6-3, 6-4 to meet Sandra Bozinovic of France on Monday not before 5pm local time.

Only 16-year-old Marion Viertler lost to Elisa Tassotti 6-2, 6-3 in 62 minutes. Swiss teenager Nicola Gadient cruised past local Bettina Paoli 6-0, 6-1 in only 49 minutes. Next up for Gadient will be Giorgia Pinto from Italy.