WTA Charleston Open Round-Up Day One | Donna Vekic fights back while Lys and Stephens fall in first round

The opening day of the Charleston Open delivered several momentum shifts and contrasting match patterns, with Donna Vekic producing a three-set comeback while Katie Volynets and Renata Zarazua advanced through different tactical routes. Across the first round, matches were largely decided by second-serve performance and break-point conversion, shaping a draw that quickly eliminated established names.

Contextually, several players arrived with limited match rhythm following the Miami Open, while others used early rounds to stabilise form. The Charleston Open draw now opens opportunities for lower-ranked players, with multiple seeds facing potentially complex second-round matchups after early exits reshaped sections of the bracket.

Tomljanovic established early control, building the first set through consistent first-serve execution and early breaks. Vekic struggled to hold baseline depth and conceded two service breaks, allowing Tomljanovic to close the set without facing sustained scoreboard pressure.

The shift came early in the second set, where Vekic increased return depth and extended rallies into Tomljanovic’s backhand side, and a six-game run reversed the match dynamic. In the third set, everything remained even, with both players holding serve, but the Croatian raised her level in the final moments, winning the last three games in a row to close out the victory.

Vekic’s recovery was built on resilience under pressure, saving five break points in the final set while converting key return opportunities late. Her improved second-serve stability limited Tomljanovic’s attacking positions. She advances into the second round, where she will face 5th seed Madison Keys.

Lys had a strong start to the match, with two consecutive breaks that gave her a comfortable 4-0 lead. Everything seemed under control, but the response from the American arrived, who broke back twice in a row to level the score again at 4-4. A late break ultimately gave the set to Lys, in what had been a highly competitive opening set.

However, things changed for the German from the second set onwards, as her first serve and overall efficiency dropped significantly. Volynets fed off the support of the home crowd and took control of the match without letting it go. She conceded just two games across the next two sets and closed out the win by delivering a bagel against an erratic Lys, who now has three consecutive losses since returning to the courts after nearly two months out due to an injury suffered at the Australian Open.

Volynets progresses into the Charleston Open second round with momentum from a dominant closing phase. In the next round, her opponent will be the Russian 7th seed Diana Shnaider.

Stephens opened with competitive service holds, but her second serve remained exposed from the outset. Zarazua quickly identified this pattern, stepping inside the baseline to attack returns and shorten points on her terms.

The match turned decisively after the early games, and Stephens gradually faded from the contest. After holding a couple of service games, the American still looked competitive up to 2-4, but from that point on the Mexican became dominant, winning the next eight games in a row, capitalising on Stephens’ errors and her opponent’s struggles on first serve.

Zarazua’s performance was anchored in break-point efficiency and return depth, preventing Stephens from holding serve consistently. With minimal resistance in the second set, she advances to face Hailey Baptiste, entering that matchup with a clear structural advantage from this round.

This marks the third consecutive tournament Brady has played in the United States after competing in the Sunshine Double, where she was eliminated in the first round at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open. The former Australian Open finalist was hoping to be more competitive this time on the green clay courts of Charleston, and although she managed to push Tomova, it was not enough to secure the win.

The American showed good physical condition, but it was not enough to compensate for the lack of efficiency on serve. For Tomova, it was not an easy task, but she managed to take advantage of her greater efficiency on serve, winning 74% of points on first serve and 75% on second serve. The Bulgarian saved all three break points she faced while converting three breaks from three opportunities given by Brady throughout the match.

Tomova advances to the second round, where she will face Russian 8th seed Anna Kalinskaya.

The opening set remained structurally balanced, with both players holding serve and limiting break opportunities. Although both had chances to break, neither managed to convert in the first set, and after more than an hour of play, everything was decided in the tie-break. It was there that the Kazakh’s experience made the difference, taking the set 7-6(6), as Sun missed two set points and Putintseva turned it around by winning the last four points in a row.

The shift in momentum after a set that Sun appeared to have under control had a clear mental impact heading into the second set. Putintseva secured an early break to take the lead, and although Sun managed to recover it and level at 2-2, she eventually lost control of the match. The 32-year-old Kazakh maintained her composure in a dominant second set and won four consecutive games to close out the victory 7-6, 6-2.

She advances into the next round, where she will face a difficult challenge against top seed Jessica Pegula, the defending champion on this occasion.