KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — The big names are falling like tenpins at the ALYA WTA Malaysian Open. Second seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and third seed Caroline Garcia of France have become the latest victims of giant-killing feats at the TPC Kuala Lumpur today.
Carla and Caroline, the world No.25 and No.23 respectively, were sent packing by high-flying qualifiers Miyu Kato of Japan and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia. Elise Martens and Cagla Buyukakcay, the seventh and eighth seeds were the first-round casualties on Monday.
Kalinskaya was in her element tonight as she outplayed her more illustrious rival 7-5, 6-2 in 83 minutes, to set up a second round meeting with China’s Han Xinyun. Kalinskaya was grinning from ear to ear after her triumph in the main draw for a first time appearance after seven attempts.
“I still can’t believe it that I have done it,” said Kalinskaya, who came through the two-round qualifiers over the weekend. “When I was walking into the court, I asked myself what I can do today as Caroline is ranked much higher than me. Actually, I didn’t play my best tennis out there, but it also wasn’t Caroline’s best performance either. I think she was nervous because she was playing in only her first match, while I have already played two qualifying matches. I was feeling much comfortable on the court, maybe that’s why I won,” added the Junior French Open runner-up in 2015.
Meanwhile, Carla’s first appearance since the Australian Open did not turn out too well for her as she fell 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 to world No.201 Miyu.
Sabina Sharipova of Uzbekistan was the other impressive qualifier. Despite finding herself trailing 4-1 in the opening set, the 22-year-old turned in a spirited display to beat Hsieh Su-wei, the 2012 champion. It was the world No.155 first win over the Su-wei in three outings.
“I’m so happy with the way I played today, it was a very good result,” said Sabina, whose best result to date was making the second round of Tashkent Open in her home courts in 2011 and 2012. Now that I have come this far, I will try my best to reach my first WTA Tour quarter-final.” Sabina will next face fellow qualifier Lesley Kerkhove of Netherlands, who upset world No.69 Elise yesterday.
The other two seeded players in the fray, Peng Shuai (fourth) and Wang Qiang (sixth) have safely secured their passage to join top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina in the second round.
Peng Shuai beat Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan 6-1, 6-4, while Wang Qiang powered past Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic 6-1, 6-3.
DAY 2 Highlights
