Rybakina beats Niemeier in Stuttgart opener

The first match for Elena Rybakina at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix saw her battle Jule Niemeier and she proved better by keeping it on two sets 7-5 6-3.

The match was a rather decent one for Rybakina who had a chance to play in similar conditions as she played for Kazakhstan in the Billie Jean King Cup. Those matches were also played indoors on clay just like this one. It worked well for her in the first set as she proved rather comfortable in the somewhat unique conditions taking a late break from Niemeier to win the set 7-5.

The German gave Rybakina some problems because she played really well and was able to hold her serve rather comfortably for much of the. Having played for Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup in this very venue clearly helped her get familiar with the conditions. She even took an early break in the second set.

She was up 3-1 but then went on to lose five games in a row to lose the second set 3-6 and the match in two sets. A good win for Rybakina who is one of the favourites for a deep run here.