Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Ferguson flies to first round win

Medibank International Friday 9 January 2009 2 Comments »

The top two women’s seeds – Sofia Arvidsson and Lucie Safarova – have been knocked out in the first round of qualifying for the Medibank International Sydney today while Australian wildcard Sophie Ferguson scored a straight sets win to move into the second round.

Arvidsson, who lost in the first round of the main draw of the Brisbane International last week, was knocked out of qualifying by world No.113 Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz in straight sets 6-2 6-2 in just over one hour.

Meng Yuan of China then landed the second upset of the day, eliminating Czech No.2 seed Lucie Safarova.

Yuan raced through the first 6-1 before Safarova was forced to retired due to injury when she was trailing 2-3 in the second set.

Sydney’s Ferguson produced some outstanding tennis to defeat world No.84 Mathiled Johansson of France.

Ferguson, who is currently ranked No.269 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, defeated her more fancies opponent Johansson in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

The 22-year old, who also won her first round of qualifying last week at the Brisbane International, said she was happy with her win.

“I felt really good out there today and stuck to my game plan, so I am very happy,” Ferguson said post-match.

“I am feeling more confident each time I play and am looking forward to the next round.”

Ferguson will now meet world No.102 Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.

Australia’s three other wildcard recipients all fell short to more experienced international opponents in their opening round matches.

American third seed Jill Craybas was too strong for wildcard Tyra Calderwood from New South Wales, winning 6-2 6-1, while German world No.140 Julia Schruff beat Aussie veteran Monique Adamczak 6-4 6-3 and Yvonne Meusburger downed Alison Bai 6-2 6-3.

In other results, Czech fifth seed Klara Zakopalova downed Galina Voskoboeva 6-3 4-6 6-2 while Kristina Barrois beat Anastasia Rodionova 7-6(3) 6-3.

Women’s qualifying singles – First round results

Qualifying – S Foretz (FRA) d S Arvidsson (SWE) 6-2 6-2
Qualifying – M Yuan (CHN) d L Safarova (CZE) 6-1 3-2 Retired
Qualifying – J Craybas (USA) d [WC] T Calderwood (AUS) 6-2 6-1
Qualifying – K Zakopalova (CZE) d G Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6-3 4-6 6-2
Qualifying – K Knapp (ITA) d V Lepchenko (USA) 5-7 6-4 6-1
Qualifying – M South (GBR) d A Amanmuradova (UZB) 6-4 6-2
Qualifying – V Dushevina (RUS) d P Cetkovska (CZE) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-3
Qualifying – [WC] S Ferguson (AUS) d M Johansson (FRA) 6-4 6-4
Qualifying – A Kerber (GER) d A Klepac (SLO) 6-2 5-7 6-3
Qualifying – J Schruff (GER) d [WC] M Adamczak (AUS) 6-4 6-3
Qualifying – Y Meusburger (AUT) d [WC] A Bai (AUS) 6-2 6-3
Qualifying – K Barrois (GER) d A Rodionova (RUS) 7-6(3) 6-3
Qualifying – C Pin (FRA) d S Bremond (FRA) 6-4 6-4
Qualifying – J Coin (FRA) d E Bychkova (RUS) 6-2 7-6(6)
Qualifying – A Yakimova (BLR) d S Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 6-3 6-2
Qualifying – M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) d V Ruano Pascual (ESP) 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3

Order of play: Saturday 10 January

Tags: Alison Bai, Lucie Safarova, Monique Adamczak, Sofia Arvidsson, Sophie Fergus, Tyra Calderwood

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