Vesnina victorious over Brengle in Charleston

CHARLESTON, SC, USA - Two-time finalist Elena Vesnina worked through a second set hiccup and windy conditions to dispatch American Madison Brengle, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, to reach the second round of the Volvo Car Open.

"I'm really happy to win my first match on green clay," she told Nick McCarvel in her on-court interview. "I needed a little to adjust and adapt to the different movement. Madison is a tough player, always running and moving. She's a fighter to the end, so I'm happy I won the final set. I was a little bit off in the second, but she played really well."

Runner-up for the first time in 2011, Vesnina last made the Charleston final two years ago, sparking a singles renaissance that saw her later reach the Wimbledon semifinals that summer and win the BNP Paribas Open last spring.

"I love the people from the South. I'm from the South as well, but in Russia. The people are very welcoming and warm. It's an amazing tournament and amazing tournament director. We always feel very good here. It's a very different city from the rest we visit in the States."

Playing her first clay court match of 2018, the Russian rallied from an early break in the opening set and navigated through a tricky final set to maintain a perfect head-to-head over Brengle after one hour and 44 minutes on court.

Striking an even 31 winners to 31 unforced errors, the No.16 seed broke serve nine times, including in the final game to book a second round clash with Brengle's countrywoman, Taylor Townsend.

Fresh off runner-up and semifinal finishes in doubles alongside Ekaterina Makarova, Vesnina opted to stick to singles in Charleston, maintaining a limited but high-level doubles schedule that could yet see her and Makarova ascend to World Co-No.1 later this spring. 

"I have a little bit more time to recover and see the city. It gives me more time to get ready for singles, because when you have both events, it's tough mentally and physically. I just want to enjoy my time in Charleston. My partner's not here, so that's why I'm not playing. But it's one of the best tournaments here, with the best fans."