Strycova edges past Anisimova, Mertens eases through against Wang

The action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has began with the likes of Barbora Strycova, Elise Mertens and Ons Jabeur going through to the second round.

Strycova overcame Amanda Anisimova in a 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 in the first round at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after edging through in a tight tussle. It is only the second victory this season for the Czech ace; while Anisimova claimed victory in their only meeting last year in Auckland.

She made only 43 unforced errors compared to her opponent's 64, while she won at the biggest moments hitting 100 points - four less than her opponent.

Jabeur on the otherhand claimed her seventh career top 20 win and her third win overall at the tournament in a 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 win over Alison Riske in just over two hours.

Both players who have reached Quarter-Finals in Grand Slams in the past year and are both having some of the best form of their life was as good as expected. Jabeur had the edge on 28 winners to balance her 31 unforced errors.

Riske on the other hand hit 34 unforced errors and 11 double faults with only 11 winners as she fell after a slow start for Jabeur saw her steady the ship and win through from there.

Then Elise Mertens eased past Qiang Wang in a 6-3, 6-0 win which saw her hit 6/7 break points compared to 1/4 from her Chinese opponent and this saw 57 points compared to 36 with games such as Kim Clijsters against Garbine Muguruza to come.

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