Top seed Gauff wins ASB Classic opener

There were wins for top seed Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu on a rain-interupted second day at the ASB Classic women’s tennis tournament in Auckland.

Coco Gauff
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Great Britain’s US Open Grand Slam champion, Emma Raducanu took some time to wind up against the talented 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic before booking her spot in the second round 4-6 6-4 6-2.

Later in the night, top seed Coco Gauff dispatched experienced German Taijana Maria 6-4 6-1 in straight sets, with players coping with swirling winds and a bunch of drizzle, that resulted in several short rain delays.

Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia beat for fourth seed Bernarda Pera of the United States 6-4, 6-4 while Russian Anna Blinkova edged Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5 in the deciding third set of their clash.

Kiwi Erin Routliffe battled back into her singles clash bravely against Roumania’s Elena-Gabriela, through the rain delays, only to lose her final service game that would have earned a deciding tiebreak. Ruse prevailed 6-2 4-6 6-4.

There will be some catch-up required with four matches moved to Wednesday morning, with an earlier 10am start planned while organisers will be hoping that forecasted significant wet weather manages to bypass the region over the next few days.

Amoung those in action today are Americans Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams and Canadian Leylah Fernandez.