Bertens passes 2017 finalist after exciting battle

Kiki Bertens has reached the second round of the Libéma Open. The third seed cleverly turned her disadvantage into a victory against Nattalia Vikhlyantseva: 5-7 6-3 7-6(5).

It was Bertens’s first victory on grass since 2016, while her 21-year-old opponent was a finalist at the Autotron last  year. In 2015 Bertens reached the semi-finals in Rosmalen, her best result here so far.

The reach the final stage of Holland’s sole WTA tournament, the Dutch number one will have to find a way to beat Kirsten Flipkens. The Belgian grass court specialist, who also plays the doubles tournament with Bertens, easily defeated wildcard player Anna Kalinskaya: 6-3 6-0.

Seventh seed Aleksandra Krunic is also playing in the second round. Qualifier Valentini Grammatikopoulou was conceded only one game. The Serbian will play against home player Bibiane Schoofs on centre court on Wednesday.

Eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka (20) won a remarkable duel with the young talent Marketa Vondrousova. The player from the Czeck Republic won the first set with 6-0, but the Belarusian took over to win: 0-6 7-5 6-3.