ATP, WTA Tours Get Underway with Season Opening Action

January 2, 2019 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (31)
Photo Credit: NY Tennis Magazine

 

With the New Year now here, it’s time for a fresh season of tennis.

The 2019 seasons on both the ATP and WTA tours commenced this week, with tournaments taking place in Shenzhen, China, Auckland, New Zealand and Brisbane, Australia.

In Brisbane on Wednesday, Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich pulled off a major upset as she ousted Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, the tournament’s top seed and defending champion. Sasnovich hung on for the 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory in a rematch of last year’s final to secure her spot in this year’s quarterfinals.

“To be honest, Australia is my favorite country and you are my favorite public,” Sasnovich told the crowd afterwards.  “Today was a really tough match. It was a good first set from my side, not so good from my second set, so I’m lucky to win I think.”

For a spot in the semifinals, Sasnovich will meet Swiss Donna Vekic next. Vekic ousted Kiki Bertens in her quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Second-seed Naomi Osaka and fifth-seed Karolina Pliskova also pushed through to the Brisbane quarterfinals on Wednesday.

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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