Sloane Stephens knocks out Francesca Schiavone
Sloane Stephens started day three of the Aegon Classic in winning style as she knocked out Francesca Schiavone of Italy in straight sets.
The American No.3 seed came through against the 2013 quarter-finalist 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes to progress into the third round where she meets Alison Riske who overcame qualifier Nadiia Kichenok 7-6(4), 6-1.
After her win, the American world No.40 commented: "I'm always happy to be back in Birmingham. I love everyone here. It's just like reuniting with family. Obviously I'm playing on grass, which I love, so it's a very comfortable place."
Sam Stosur progresses into round three
Australian second seed Sam Stosur began her Aegon Classic campaign against American Christina McHale coming through swiftly with a 6-1, 6-3 win.
“It was pretty clean all round.” Stosur said after her match. “I mean, couple little things I would like to try and tidy up, but overall really happy with the way I played out there and the way I felt and all that. So for my first match on grass, I’m pretty happy.”
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova stuns Aegon Classic fifth seed
World No.62 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova progressed into the third round of the Aegon Classic on Wednesday after defeating fifth seed Lucie Safarova.
In a match lasting over two hours, Strycova came through 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 knocking out the Czech world No.21.
Alexsandra Wosniak continues winning form
Alexsandra Wosniak continued her good run of form at the Aegon Classic on Wednesday as she defeated British wild card Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 to progress into round three.
The Canadian, who came through two rounds of qualifying, also knocked out British No.1 Heather Watson in the opening round.
Konta, who now heads to Eastbourne for the Aegon International, commented after her match: “I think she [Wosniak] played a very good match overall. She was playing with a lot more confidence than yesterday, I felt. She was definitely a lot more solid. But then again, I felt I had a couple chances here and there, semi chances, which I didn't really feel like I capitalized on.
From my end, I would have liked to have made more balls, obviously. But it was a good experience to be out on a big court like that. I haven't had many chances like that up until now.”