Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova complete second round lineup in Singapore as Vekic dumped out

The first round at the Singapore Tennis Open is done and dusted with some familiar names making their way through. It was contrasting wins for Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova, while Donna Vekic slumped out in a one-sided match.

Former World No.3 Sakkari had to wait until late to begin her Asian swing campaign. She made up for it with a flourish as she sent Linda Fruhvirtova out of the tournament in a 6-4, 6-1 scoreline.

From the off Sakkari was on the back foot thanks to an early break by her Czech opponent. However, the first set would turn on its head in an instant. Trailing 4-2, Sakkari mounted an offensive which saw her win four consecutive games and subsequently the first set.

She would boost that tally to nine games, taking an astonishing 5-0 lead with Fruhvirtova unable to keep pace.

It was a very stressful contest for Krejcikova despite her rapid start. The two-time Grand Slam champion was dragged into a tremendous battle against German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam to win 6-0, 5-7, 7-6(4).

The first set was as dominant as it got, and it was an ominous sign by Krejcikova, who wanted to blast herself into the second round with defending champion Elise Mertens awaiting the winner.

However, the tables soon turned. Friedsam soon got into her groove and led the second set 5-2. It took a mega effort by the Czech to get back level at 5-5, only to see her opponent win the final two games and make it one set all. It was a very topsy-turvy third set too. Friedsam was in command at 5-3 to the good, but two match points were squandered, and Krejcikova clawed her way back. Another two breaks later, a tiebreak was needed. Krejcikova found that extra gear and got over the line in just under three hours.

The other seed in action was Vekic, but she could only manage three games in a disastrous 6-1, 6-2 battering against Xinyu Wang.

Just 65 minutes it took for the Chinese No.1 to dismantle the Queen’s champion. A five-game burst sewed up the first set before she repeated that same trick in the second set, not dropping another game from 2-1 down. It was a performance to forget for Vekic who swiftly departs the Singapore Open.

Better news for Oleksandra Oliynykova and Alycia Parks who both prevailed in straight sets. Oliynykova proved too strong for Vivian Wolff in a 6-1, 7-6(1) triumph, while Parks overcame lucky loser Mai Yamaguchi 6-4, 6-3.

Tatiana Prozorova came back from a set down in a very close 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2 victory. Sofia Costoulas of Belgium took the lead and a break advantage in the second. That was snuffed out before she missed chances to lead 6-5 and serve it out. The subsequent tiebreak went the way of the Russian who would not look back in the third set.

That is the first round action done. Mirra Andreeva and Alexandra Eala will headline proceedings in the second round with Amanda Anisimova a late withdrawal from the competition with a wrist issue.