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Former French Open finalist Sara Errani reached the second round of the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia on Monday. Errani needed three sets and two hours and 31 minutes to clinch a 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 win over Slovenian Tamara Zidansek.
Both players struggled to get going with their game throughout the match and in the end, the winner of the match was determined by who was able to hold her erratic play in check for a longer while. The Italian won 55% of her first-serve points and 43% of her second-serve points.
She also won 54% points on first-serve return and 32% points on return on her rival’s second serve. A total of 26 break points came up across the match. Of these 16 came on Zidansek, the former French Open semi-finalist’s serve.
She saved five of these. Errani could save only three of the 10 break points she faced. In the second round, Errani will play either Kristina Kucova or fellow countrywoman, Lucia Bronzetti.
Jasmin Open: Nadia Podoroska too good for Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Meanwhile, in the all-Italian match-up between Lucrezia Stefanini and Camilla Rosatello, Stefanini claimed a comeback 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 win over her compatriot.
Stefanini needed two hours and 14 minutes to score the win over the qualifier. Iryna Shyamanovich also moved into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Brazil’s Laura Pigossi. Shyamanovich and Pigossi won around 60% of her first-serve points.
Shyamanovich, however, did well to win more points on return on Pigossi’s second serve. She won 56% points on her second serve while winning 62% points on return on her 120th-ranked opponent’s second serve. The 26-year-old Shyamanovich will now play either Filipino qualifier Alexandra Eala or second seed Elise Mertens.
Meanwhile, the two seeds who played their first-round matches on Monday at the Jasmin Open ended up with contrasting results. Nadia Podoroska upset the fifth-seeded Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Eighth seed Clara Burel knocked out Cristina Bucsa with a 6-2, 6-2 score.
