Daniel Island, S.C.–Main draw play began this morning under cloudy skies at the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island in South Carolina. A breakout Canadian, an American birthday girl, a Czech teen and a Charleston Open debutante started the action with four upsets.
On Althea Gibson court, world #92 Madison Brengle celebrated her 32nd birthday as she went on to victory over Kaia Kanepi, 6-3, 6-4. The fans serenaded her with “Happy Birthday” as she left the court after the win.
On Stadium court, 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova persevered in three sets to oust world #60 Jill Teichmann, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Next up was #89 Julia Grabher. The 26-year-old Austrian had never played at Charleston until today and she did so in winning fashion with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 effort against #28 Shuai Zhang.
On Stadium court, another upset was in the making. This one wasn’t unexpected to anyone who has watched Canadian Katherine Sebov play this weekend or this year. The world #149 qualified in Miami two weeks ago and won her first round match. In Charleston, she’s done the same. With two wins to propel her to the main draw, Sebov played with determination over the weekend to gain entry to Charleston. Despite losing the first set narrowly today, she played through the Stadium court jitters and the pro-American crowd to outlast #57 Lauren Davis, 4-6, 6-1,6-2.
Lesia Tsurenko was too much for Paula Ormaechea today, and Tsurenko prevailed, 6-1, 6-1. Ons Jabeur will meet the Ukrainian in round 2.
Anna Blinkova set up a match with the tournament’s top seed, Jessica Pegula, with a 7-6(7), 6-2 win against Anna Bondar.
Tennis Atlantic 