TSHWANE, March 30, 2022 (Tennis SA Press Release)
South African wildcard Isabella Kruger battled past Polish former World No. 29 Urszula Radwanska to secure her spot in the second round of the Tuks International ITF World Tennis Tour W60 tournament on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Kruger, No. 713 in the WTA Rankings, beat the experienced Polish player 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 after two hours and 46 minutes.
Kruger was left “incredibly happy” with her performance against a former world top 30 player.
“It was really a tough match against Urszula (Radwanska) today, as she is a very experienced player, and I am really grateful that I had an opportunity to compete against her,” said Kruger.
“In the first set, I came on a bit dominant and then in the second set she just raised the level to push the match to a decider.
“The deciding set was quite tough, but I am incredibly happy I managed to close out the match. I am just excited to have another opportunity to play in the second-round tomorrow,” added Kruger.
Kruger will next face Russian sixth seed Anastasia Tikhonova, who beat Alice Robbe from France in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(2).
She has done it! 🚀🚀
After an incredible performance, wildcard Isabella Kruger triumphs over Polish former world No.29 Urszula Radwanska 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 to reach the second round at Tuks International.
Kruger next faces Russian 6th seed Tikhonova, Anastasia.#TuksInternational pic.twitter.com/GmO662sM6F
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) March 30, 2022
Isabella’s sister, Zoe, the country’s top-ranked player was knocked out in the first round, despite her spirited performance against four-time Grand Slam doubles champion Timea Babos of Hungary.
Kruger went down 4-6, 2-6 in a match that lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The tournament’s top seed,World No. 152 Tessah Adrianjafitrimo of France got her campaign off to a winning start with an assured 6-2, 6-0 victory over Serbian qualifier Tamara Curovic and will next face another qualifier Eudice Chong from Hong Kong.
The tournament’s No 2 seed, Valeria Savinykh of Russia made light work of her first-round opponent British Matilda Mutavdzic, winning 6-2, 6-0 to book her spot in the second round.
Results
Frist round – Singles
WC-Isabella Kruger (RSA) bt Urszula Radwanska (POL) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
Timea Babos (HUN) bt WC-Zoe Kruger 6-4, 6-2
1- Tessah Andrianjafitrimo (FRA) bt Q-Tamara Curovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-0
2-Valeria Savinykh (RUS) bt Matilda Mutavdzic (GBR) 6-2, 6-0
3-Jodie Anna Burrage (GBR) bt Katharina Hobgarski (GER) 6-3, 6-1
4-Richel Hogenkamp (NED) bt Ekaterina Kazionova (RUS) 6-4, 6-4
6-Anastasia Tikhonova (RUS) bt Alice Robbe (FRA) 6-4, 7-6(2)
7-Joanne Zuger (SUI) bt Sara Bejlek (CZE) 6-3, 6-3
8-Yuriko Miyazaki (JPN) bt Q- Hong Yi Cody Wong (HKG) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
Ekaterina Reyngold (RUS) bt Tyla Wilmot (RSA) 6-2, 6-1
Irina Khromacheva (RUS) bt Valeriya Strakhova (UKR) 6-1, 6-4
Lina Glushko (ISR) bt 5-Katie Swan (GBR) 6-3, 6-3
Carole Monnet (FRA) bt WC-Relebogile Sereo (RSA) 6-0, 6-1
Q-Sandra Samir (EGY) bt Viktoria Morvayova (SVK) 6-3, 7-6(5)
Q-Eudice Wong Chong (HKG) bt Q-Adrienn Nagy (HUN) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
