Sara Errani made a successful transition from grass to clay with a straight-sets win over Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic at the Nuernberger Gastein Ladies on Tuesday, three days after winning the doubles title at Wimbledon with fellow Italian Roberta Vinci.
World No. 14 Errani, who is seeded second, saved five of six break points against her serve to defeat Siniakova 6-3, 6-2.
Errani, who next plays Paula Ormaechea of Argentina, is the highest ranked player left in the event after top seed Flavia Pennetta pulled out injured on Monday.
Photo: EPA
Earlier, defending champion Yvonne Meusburger edged Tereza Smitkova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 7-5 to reach the second round.
The sixth-seeded Austrian won four straight games from 5-3 down in the final set to close out the victory.
World No. 99 Smitkova led 30-0 while serving for the match at 5-4, but failed to score another point in the game.
Also on Tuesday, No. 3 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain defeated Laura Siegemund of Germany 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-4; fourth seed and 2009 champion Andrea Petkovic of Germany beat Jana Cepelova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (10/8), 7-5; fifth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine downed Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria 6-1, 6-4; and No. 7 seed Camila Giorgi of Italy defeated last year’s finalist Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3.
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