Japan’s Kurumi Nara dispatched eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the Taiwan Open in Taipei City on Tuesday.
Nara prevailed in a two-hour, 44-minute battle to move into the second round against China’s Lin Zhu, who recorded a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Poland’s Magda Linette.
Nara recovered from the opening-set loss while Jankovic of Serbia said he was bothered by low back pain.
« Over time it was feeling worse and worse, » Jankovic said after the match. « I tried and tried to fight, but in the end it wasn’t good enough. I never enjoy being on court when I’m in pain. »
The top three seeds all advanced in straight sets.
Top-seeded Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine rolled to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina ; second-seeded Samantha Stosur posted a 6-2, 6-4 win over Danka Kovinic of Montenegro, and third-seeded Caroline Garcia of France was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic.
