Review all the action from day one on the Ann Jones Centre Court at the Aegon Classic.
Youngest in the top 100 face off in first round
Last year’s finalist Donna Vekic has been knocked out on day one of the Aegon Classic by Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-4.
Before the match Vekic said: “It will be a very interesting match because we are the two youngest players in the top 100.”
At 4-4 in the first set the Croatian broke back and Bencic responded with two good games to close it out, which the Swiss player says was a very important point in the match.
Bencic’s reaction to playing title holder, Daniela Hantuchova next was: “I will just try and play my game. She won here last year, so I have no pressure at all. I will just play like today.”
Francesca Schiavone progresses
Francesca Schiavone, a quarter-finalist in 2013, started her Aegon Classic campaign in strong form defeating Jie Zheng of China 6-3, 6-4 in just over one and a half hours.
The Italian now faces Nadiia Kichenok, who beat Sharon Fichman 7-6(6), 6(2)-7, 3-6 in the first round.
“Riskey” Business
Alison Riske began the Aegon Classic tournament against qualifier Lyudmyla Kichenok. After a close first set, that was decided on a tie-break, Riske came through the match 7-6(3), 6-3.
Earlier in the week the American, who reached the final eight in 2013, also took prospective spectators on a tour of the Aegon Classic grounds.
Wicky Win
On the first match of the day on Court 2, Belguim’s Yanina Wickmayer came through against tenth seed Bojana Jovanovski 6-4, 6-4.
The 24 year-old plays American Coco Vandewaghe, who beat Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas, in round two.
Vamos Varvara
In the quickest match of the day, American Varvara Lepchenko made it through to the second round of the Aegon Classic beating Alison Van Uytvanck 6-4, 6-0 in just over an hour.
Her fellow countrywoman, Victoria Duval, who came through qualifying beat thirteenth seed, Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-4.
The nineteen year-old is up against another American, Lauren Davis. Duval commented: “It will be very interesting and I am looking forward to it.”
Katy Dunne Retires
During the last match of the day British No.10 Katy Dunne was forced to retire with an injury against Camila Giorgi, who took the match 4-6, 6-1, 2-1.
After her first match against a player inside the top 50 the British No.10 said: “I never really expected to win the first set and I didn't expect it to be a three set match. Once it went into a third, the smart decision was to obviously pull out because I have Wimbledon coming up and I don't want to make it worse.”
She added: “I’ve got a week before qualies, so I’ll just stay here and use the physios and get as much treatment as possible. Ice, all day, everyday. Do absolutely anything I can because I am really desperate to play, but hopefully it will be OK because it is minor-ish at the moment."
“I am really starting to believe I can get to this level, definitely".
Dunne earned herself a place in the main draw of a WTA tournament for the first time when she won her final qualifying match at the Aegon Classic on Sunday.
Dunne, 19, had stunned the far more experienced Timea Babos (who was seeded second in qualifying) 6-2, 7-6(4), to follow on Saturday’s giant-killing win over Alize Lim.