NÜRNBERG, May 20, 2017

The fifth edition of the WTA Nürnberger Versicherungscup kicked off on Saturday with the first day of the qualifying highlighted by wild card entry Mira Antonitsch, who knocked out eighth favourite Valeriya Solovyeva from Russia.

The only 18-year-old from Austria, daughter of former ATP professional Alexander Antonitsch, won 62 per cent of her first service points and broke serve seven times to seal victory in two hours and 12 minutes. The teenager will next take on Romanian Alexandra Cadantu, who rallied past the top seed of the qualifying, Kateryna Bondarenko from the Ukraine, winning 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 after two hours and 11 minutes.

Bouchard To Face Putintseva In Opening Round 

Main draw ceremony in Nürnberg with Yulia Putintseva, Katharina Gerlach, Katharina Hobgarski and LOTTO Bayern president Friederike Sturm

2015 Nürnberg champion Eugenie Bouchard from Canada and second seed Yulia Putintseva will headline the opening round of the main draw. The Russian won the only previous meeting between the two in the semi-finals of the Australian Open Junior Championships in 2012.

Defending champion and top seed Kiki Bertens from the Netherlands will open her Nürnberg campaign against German wild card Katharina Gerlach, ranked World No. 538.

“It will be an incredible experience to compete here in the main draw. Playing against Kiki will be the icing on the cake. I will give my best. I have nothing to lose,” the 19-year-old German told the during main draw ceremony.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix champion and the tournament’s number four Laura Siegemund will take on Katharina Hobgarski, who was also awarded a wild card, in an all-German-affair. Siegemund won the only previous match in Luxembourg two years ago in straight sets. Next up on Sunday will be the conclusion of the qualifying as well as the start of the main draw.