Day 1 As It Happens: Main Draw Play is Underway

Really solid effort from Kenin, who had a tough test in both sets but pulled past the 2009 winner here, advancing in straights. She’ll meet the winner of Errani-Puig, which is the second match on Club Court.

Also: Sara Sorribes Tormo def. Fanny Stollar 6-0 6-3 and Tamara Zidansek beats Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-1 2-6 6-0.

Pegula has battled back from a 1-6 0-2 deficit to lead in the decider vs. Khromacheva, 1-6 7-6(4) 4-0.

Practice makes perfect
While the biggest stars aren’t in action today, that doesn’t mean they have the day off…

🎶 Here are a few of my favorite things 🎶#Sevastova, @CaroWozniacki, @SloaneStephens ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KeIWCEdxrb

— Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 1, 2019

10:50 – Kenin saves set point
American Kenin saved a set point at 4-5 serving after Lisicki served for the set at 5-3. It was the 20 year old who won set one eventually 7-5. Kenin led by a break early in set two, but they’re on serve now. If you want to follow live scores, download the Volvo Car Open app. 

LOTS of tennis to see today
OK… before the day gets away from us: Ostapenko should have a tough test against Johanna Larsson; we can’t wait for the big-hitting affair between Bencic and Australian teen Destanee Aiava; and we can’t wait for Shelby Rogers‘ return to her home court in Charleston against Evgeniya Rodina. 

Plus: Sara Errani vs. Monica Puig in what is sure to be a clash of styles, and other Americans in action: Taylor Townsend (last on Club Court); Allie Kiick (third on Court 3); and Francesca Di Lorenzo (last on Court 3).

10:00 – Ready? Play.
Matches are underway, with an intriguing one on Volvo Car Stadium: Former champ here Sabine Lisicki meets Kenin for the first time on tour level. (Kenin won a qualifying match between the two last year in Indian Wells.)

Elsewhere, it’s American Jessica Pegula taking on Russia’s Irina Khromacheva. 

Manic Monday – What to watch
While the top eight seeds receive byes, that’s not the case for seeds 9-16, meaning No. 9 Belinda Bencic, No. 10 Jelena Ostapenko, No. 13 Sofia Kenin and No. 14 Ajla Tomljanovic are all in action.

Who else to watch? We have a full preview that you can read here.

9:00 – Good morning, gates open!
It’s a very good morning to all of you from Daniel Island and the 47th Volvo Car Open. It’s our 19th year on Daniel Island, and this year we feature nine of the top 20, five former champions and 14 Americans among the world class tennis starts who have descended on Charleston to wow us with their tennis.

First, it’s a morning preview show on Facebook to the tennis to come this week, hosted by yours truly.