GRAN CANARIA, July 30, 2024
Main draw action in the ITF W100 DISA Gran Canaria kicked off on a sunny Tuesday at the Conde Jackson Tennis Club in Maspalomas. Under blue skies on Gran Canaria Center Court, third-seeded Czech teenager Sara Bejlek battled past Angela Fita Boluda of Spain 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
In a topsy-turvy first-round affair between two left-handers, Bejlek set the tone early with her aggressive flat-hitting game. The 18-year-old former Top 50 junior, who has already clinched six titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour as well as one trophy at WTA 125 level, struggled in the second set. However, she showed her pure fighting spirit throughout the first-round match. Bejlek came back from a break down in the final set to eventually secure victory in two hours and 15 minutes.
“I have played here two years ago and I knew where I was going from the start,” Bejlek said after the two-hour, 16-minute grueling encounter, the longest of the day. “Every first round is tough but when you are the favourite it even creates more pressure. I am happy for the win.”
Seeded players prevail
Earlier in the day, the other seeded players in action also advanced to the second round. Fifth favourite Leolia Jeanjean of France beat Ariana Geerlings from Spain 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 30 minutes.
“I played a solid first set. The second set was a bit tougher, as my opponent started to avoid mistakes. But I was solid in the important points, which made the difference,” said Jeanjean, who is competing in her first tournament in more than a month. The 28-year-old Montpellier native was struggling with an injury in recent times.
“I didn’t have much time to adapt. I wasn’t sure if I could come here but the pain is much better now. I came here to see how the body is going to react when playing an official match. It was very good today so I will now have some time to prepare for the upcoming match.”
What can we still expect from her this week? “The weather is great. I hope to stay here for the rest of the week, but the main goal is to stay healthy,” Jeanjean said.
The World No. 154 will next take on German Lena Papadakis, who emerged victorious from a battle of qualifiers with Jesika Maleckova of Czechia, winning 6-3, 6-2.
“I felt good on court today. I like the heat and when the balls are bouncing high. It’s fun to play here in these sunny conditions,” said Papadakis, who travels the tour with her husband. “It’s my first time in Gran Canaria and it’s really nice here. I feel comfortable. There are many friendly people here. Yesterday, we took the bus and went to Maspalomas and had a walk on the beach, which creates a bit of holiday feeling.”
Over on Court Disa, No. 7 seed Carole Monnet of France eased past Maria Jose Portillo Ramirez from Mexico 6-1, 6-2 in 63 minutes.
“It’s a good start into the tournament,” a happy Monnet said afterwards. “I love this place. I played here two years ago, and conditions are great. The club offers many courts to practice, event on hard court to get ready for the American swing. I enjoy it, it’s like a paradise to be here.”
Up next for Monnet will be Hungarian Fanni Stollar. The 25-year-old from Budapest cruised past Miriana Tona of Italy 6-3, 6-0 in only 55 minutes.
Another long match, which lasted almost two hours, took place between No. 6 seed Polina Kudermetova and home favourite Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov. Kudermetova eventually prevailed 6-4, 7-6(5).
“It was tough, as I lost my concentration after winning the first set and had some problems towards the end of the match. I just tried to stay aggressive, and I am very happy to have won the match,” said Kudermetova, who has become a regular guest in Maspalomas and is competing in the tournament for the third time.
“I reached the semis here twice and finished runner-up one time. I love playing here and that’s why I wanted to come back. The organization is great.”
Pedone wins battle of the teenagers
Elsewhere, Giorgia Pedone beat fellow teenager Cristina Diaz Adrover of Spain 6-3, 6-2. The 19-year-old showed some impressive tennis with a lot of variety in her shots.
“My opponent played really well. I needed to play my best level,” Pedone said afterwards. “I was down 3-0 in the first set, and I needed to push her more. She was everywhere on the court. I needed to improve my serve and went to net pretty often.”
Pedone, who was born in Palermo, is still based at the Cina Tennis Academy in Sicily. “It’s a great facility there. I also get a lot of support from the Italian Tennis Federation, of which I am very thankful for.
“Here is a beautiful place. We have a pool at the hotel. The ways are short. And there is the sea. I wanted to come back after I played here last year. I love the people. There are like Italian people and it’s simply a great place to play tennis.”
Pedone, who enjoys reading love stories, stated that she wants to improve every day. “I prefer not to think about the rankings. I am still focused on my tennis and want to do my best. Then we will see.”
Her next opponent will be either fourth-seeded Spaniard Nuria Parrizas-Diaz or Amandine Hesse from France.
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Gran Canaria welcomes athletes and fans with perfect weather conditions
The ITF W100 DISA Gran Canaria is showcasing the beauty and hospitality of Gran Canaria to athletes and fans alike. The clay-court tournament offers a total prize money of $100,000 and is being held this week at the Club Deportivo Conde Jackson Maspalomas, a paradise for tennis enthusiasts. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and perfect climate conditions, Gran Canaria offers an idyllic setting for both recreational and professional tennis. The island boasts numerous high-quality tennis facilities, attracting players from around the world who seek to combine their love for the sport with the enjoyment of a scenic destination.
One of the most appealing aspects of playing tennis in Gran Canaria is its year-round mild and sunny weather. The island enjoys an average temperature of 24°C (75°F), making it an ideal location for outdoor activities at any time of the year. This consistent climate allows for uninterrupted play, free from the concerns of extreme weather conditions that can affect many other locations.
The ITF World Tennis Tour W100 DISA Gran Canaria 2024 is organized by Club Deportivo Conde Jackson and sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the Government of the Canary Islands, and the collaboration of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council. Main sponsor for the seventh consecutive year is Grupo DISA. Co-sponsors include eó Hotels Gran Canaria, the Real Federación Española de Tenis, and others.
