BIRMINGHAM, UK - The British weather held up its end of the bargain at the $220,000 AEGON Classic on Monday, allowing all 17 opening round matches on the schedule to be played.
The sole seed to fall on the grass of the Edgbaston Priory Club was No.11 Melinda Czink, who held a set point at 5-4 in the first set of her match against Marina Erakovic but let the Kiwi claw her way back for a 75 64 win.
British qualifier Melanie South also had her chances against former world No.5 Anna Chakvetadze, holding two break points for a 63 51 lead and racing ahead 4-1 in the decider. But the Russian, who slipped to No.114 in the rankings this week, fought valiantly to restore pride, 36 64 64.
Defending champion Magdalena Rybarikova lost the first set against Regina Kulikova but advanced when the Russian retired early in the second with a low back injury; young Brit Laura Robson won the first set against Stefanie Voegele and was fast-tracked into the second round when the Swiss player retired, also with a low back injury. In any case, the win represents Robson's first at Tour level.
No.13 seed Angelique Kerber and No.14 seed Tamarine Tanasugarn progressed, with other winners including Sania Mirza, Jarmila Groth, Michelle Larcher de Brito and Alla Kudryavtseva. Kudryavtseva beat British wildcard Heather Watson, the reigning US Open girls' champion, 64 63.
Tuesday's stacked Centre Court schedule sees Robson and former British No.1 Anne Keothavong take on Yanina Wickmayer and Pauline Parmentier respectively. Two-time champion Maria Sharapova opens her campaign against Bethanie Mattek-Sands, with French standout Aravane Rezai playing Anastasia Rodionova.
Current British No.1 Elena Baltacha is third up on Court 2, against Kaia Kanepi.
