Jelena Jankovic came to Sydney fresh off her Brisbane semifinals and on the wings of her last season’s rise from No.22 to No.8 in the rankings, but Ekatarina Makarova, making a comeback after more than four months of not playing, had other plans and knocked out the fourth-seeded Serb 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the Apia International Sydney.
The newly-engaged Caroline Wozniacki, seeded sixth, was also playing her first match of the season, having withdrawn from the Brisbane International with a right shoulder injury she picked up in practice, and survived a touch challenge from Julia Goerges to advance to the second round 3-6 6-2 6-4, while fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber managed to defeat Dominika Cibulkova for the first time in five tries, 7-6(5) 7-5.
Top seed at the tournament is Agnieszka Radwanska and she’s still enjoying her first-round bye.
At the Hobart International also played this week, the top seed is home star Samantha Stosur and she made it to the second round but after a very tough match that involved rain delays and a very determined world No.147 Madison Brengle. Final score: 6(4)-7 6-1 7-6(5). (photo: Jimmie48)
Jelena Jankovic might be a good player. I do like her but I also love Sunia Mirza of India as she is so beautiful