Alexandrova, Gracheva book second-round spots in Linz
LINZ, Austria - No.4 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova
Linx has been one of Alexandrova’s happiest hunting grounds, since reaching the final here in 2018 after fighting through the qualifying rounds. She looked right at home against Siniakova, breaking the Czech four times en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
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“I think maybe the serve [was working for me] out there at some points, but sometimes it was my return,” Alexandrova told wtatennis.com after the match. “Because she broke me at the start of the second set, so I thought it was important to do my best on the return and just keep my serve.
“I’m just glad that I’m back and I’m playing here in Linz, I just feel great.”
The Russian broke early in the first set to establish her lead against Siniakova, and saved all three break points she faced as she wrapped up the first comfortably. She had to fight back from a break down as Siniakova grabbed the early lead in the second, reeling off the last four games to advance.
Alexandrova will face fellow Russian Varvara Gracheva
“We never played before, but I think we’ve once practiced,” Alexandrova recalled. “So we’ll see how [my preparation] goes.”
Also in action, Aliaksandra Sasnovich
