ORTISEI, December 8, 2016

Deborah Chiesa headlined second round action at the $10,000 Raiffeisen ITF Val Gardena, held at the Tennis Club Ortisei. The third seed emerged victorious from the all-Italian-affair with 17-year-old Lucia Bronzetti, winning 7-5, 7-6.

Chiesa sent down five aces and converted three of her eight break point opportunities to advance in two hours and eight minutes. The World No. 485 will next take on Ksenia Palkina Ulukan from Kyrgyzstan.

Sarah Rebecca Sekulic knocked out the tournament’s number two Lenka Jurikova of Slovakia. The 24-year-old from Germany won 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 28 minutes to meet fifth seeded Italian Anna-Giulia Remondina in the quarterfinals.

Swiss teenager Simona Walter, who upset top favourite Claudia Giovine in the opening round, has continued her good run in Ortisei with a 1-6, 7-5,6-3  victory over fellow Swiss Nina Stadler. The only 15-year-old from Chur, who is one of the most promising Swiss juniors in recent history, will next play Caroline Werner of Germany.