NÜRNBERG, May 22, 2018
Germany’s Mona Barthel will meet two-time defending champion Kiki Bertens of Belgium in Wednesday’s second round of the Nürnberger Versicherungscup. The 27-year-old emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Carina Witthöft 7-5, 6-3 in match over two days.
The encounter had been suspended on Monday due to a thunderstrom after the first set. Barthel continued her good performance to advance after one hour and 43 minutes match time.
“It was a great start for Mona. It’s incredibly difficult to play against a good friend. They know each other very well. I think it was a high class match. Mona will now face Kiki Bertens with a lot of confidence, which will be a big challenge for her,” analyzed Christopher Kas, ex-professional and coach of Mona Barthel.
His protégé agreed with him: “Yes, it is a great opportunity for me to play against the defending champion. I am in good form and I have nothing to lose,” the World No. 122 commented.
Cirstea fights back
Sorana Cirstea battled back from a set and a break down to overcome home favourite Andrea Petkovic 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5). The No. 6 seed from Romania also came back from a break deficit twice in the final set and won the last four points of the tie-break to prevail in two hours and 45 minutes.
“It was nice to see that people still know who I am and still want to see me – and they got the chance to witness a drama again,” told Petkovic, who is currently ranked World No.107, and was looking for her best win in terms of ranking since defeating Petra Kvitova at the Australian Open.
Cirstea will next take on US-American Madison Brengle.
The match between top seed Sloane Stephens and Yulia Putintseva was suspended later in the evening due to darkness at 3-3 in the final set.
Tied at 3-3 in the third set, the match between @PutintsevaYulia and @SloaneStephens has been suspended due to darkness.
To be continued tomorrow… #nuernbergercup pic.twitter.com/Xw26o6Nwzg
— WTA (@WTA) 22. Mai 2018
