Sara Errani Shocked in ASB Classic Opener
The ASB Classic in Auckland witnessed a huge upset on Monday, as second seed Sara Errani crashed out of the event, losing to Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets.
14th-ranked Errani had no clue against powerful strokes from her opponent, as she looked rusty throughout to eventually go down 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, sixth seed Sloane Stephens had a swift move to the second round with a serene 6-3, 6-1 conquest of Spain’s Silvia Soler-Espinosa.
FIRST ROUND SINGLES – RESULTS
(W) T Townsend d. Y Wickmayer (7-5, 3-6, 6-0)
(4) B Z Strycova d. C Scheepers (6-1, 3-6, 6-2)
A Konjuh d. (8) Mona Barthel (6-2, 6-1)
K Nara d. K Bertens (6-3, 6-2)
(6) S Stephens d. S Soler-Espinosa (6-3, 6-1)
L Davis d. S Rogers (1-6, 6-4, 6-3)
D Hantuchova d. S Errani (6-3, 6-2)
FIRST ROUND DOUBLES – RESULTS
N Melichar/L Siegemund d. G Dabrowski/A Rosolska (6-4, 4-6, 11-9)
(3) J Goerges/A Groenefeld d. K Bondarenko/O Savchuk (7-6, 4-6, 10-5)
(W) M Erakovic/M Puig d. M Irigoyen d. B Krejcikova (6-4, 6-7, 11-9)
(Image: tvnz.co.nz)