Florianopolis Gallery: WTA Volta Ao Brasil
Published Feburary 28, 2013 12:00
Florianopolis is the first Brazilian stop on the WTA calendar since Bahia all the way back in 2002.
The inaugural WTA Brasil Tennis Cup's star attraction was, appropriately, Venus Ebony Starr Williams.
In the days leading up to the event, the many stars of the WTA were hitting the practice courts.
Williams was among them, playing for the first time since the Australian Open more than a month ago.
Williams is a big draw wherever she goes - she is a seven-time Grand Slam winner and former No.1.
Another WTA legend, former No.4 Kimiko Date-Krumm, is still going strong at 42 - a really young 42.
Yaroslava Shvedova was the No.2 seed this week, but was surprised first round by Melinda Czink.
With coach Larri Passos at her side, Beatriz Haddad Maia was in for a breakthrough week in Brazil.
Day 1 of main draw play on Sunday saw German teenager Annika Beck beat Brazil's Maria Fernanda Alves.
Jana Cepelova also beat a Brazilian in the only other first round match - Paula Cristina Goncalves.
Meanwhile the qualies were also wrapping up, with Croatia's Tereza Mrdeza among the six winners.
Teliana Pereira made the Bogotá semis last week - the first Brazilian WTA semifinalist since 1990.
Alves with press - the Brazilian has won 23 singles titles and 46 doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.
Garbiñe Muguruza won her first round match on Tuesday, a match-up with No.1 seed Williams next...
And Haddad Maia scored her first WTA-level match win in the first round, with Czink waiting next...
