Rogers Falls, Makarova Withdraws After Win at Cup
Charleston native Shelby Rogers couldn’t string two wins together at the Volvo Car Open this week after registering her first-ever victory at her hometown tournament on Monday.
The world No. 80 fell in straight sets on Wednesday afternoon inside Billie Jean King Stadium Court to Spanish qualifier Sara Sorribes Tormo, 7-5, 6-1.
MORE: Shelby’s Charleston Guide | Draws | Order of Play | Tickets
“Each week I try to take the positives from it… I overcame a big milestone here and had a good first match and I did some good things in the first set here today, so I just want to keep building on that and continue throughout the season,” said Rogers after the loss.
Sorribes Tormo, a qualifier ranked No. 195 in the world, fought back tears of joy on court after the win, marking her best performance at a WTA event. She’ll face No. 4 seed Sara Errani next, the Italian beating 2014 finalist Jana Cepelova 6-3, 7-6(5) in the second round.
No. 2 seed Ekaterina Makarova avoided an early-day upset bid, beating Zhang Shuai inside Stadium Court to start the day’s play. But the Russian ranked No. 9 in the world later had to withdraw from the tournament due to gastrointestinal illness, sending Irina-Camelia Begu into the quarterfinals via walkover.
“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw here in Charleston,” Makarova said via a statement from the WTA. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments and I’ve really enjoyed my time here these past few days. Unfortunately, I felt pain in my stomach today during the match and called the trainers but it hasn’t got any better so my team and I think it’s best to get it checked out and recover for the rest of the clay court season. I hope I will be back in Charleston next year.”
2010 champion Sam Stosur couldn’t overcome a spirited Lara Arruabarrena, the Spaniard winning in three sets on Althea Gibson Club Court. Earlier, Belinda Bencic, the No. 12 seed and a semifinalist here a year ago, also couldn’t shake off another inspired lower-ranked player, with Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic winning in three sets.
Begu, the aforementioned No. 13 seed, defeated Yaroslava Shvedova in three sets as well, while Andreea Mitu defeated Ajla Tomljanovic in straights.
“I never (have) felt better in my life,” said Kovinic after her upset over Bencic. She next faces childhood idol Jelena Jankovic in the third round, the 2007 winner here. “I think I played the best tennis here. I’m really enjoying.”
American Madison Brengle has quietly crept her way through the draw. She was a two-set winner over Donna Vekic and next meets defending champ Andrea Petkovic in the third round. Brengle upset Petkovic in the first round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
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