Putintseva outlasts returning Svitolina in Charleston; Fruhvirtova, Stephens advance

For the first time in more than a year, former World No.3 Elina Svitolina

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Yulia Putintseva

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The 28-year-old Svitolina hadn't played on the Hologic WTA Tour since last March after a combination of injury and pregnancy. In October, she gave birth to her daughter, Skaï, with husband and ATP pro Gael Monfils.

Svitolina leads pro-am for Ukrainian relief in Charleston

How the match was won: Eight years after their last clay-court meeting, and more than a decade after the two one-time junior rivals played for the first time as professionals, Putintseva and Svitolina played a marathon three-setter for a fourth time. 

Showing no signs of rust in a 70-minute opening set, Svitolina led by a break twice early on -- but later, saved set point in the 10th game and came from 3-1 down to win the last six points of the tiebreak and wrap up a one-set lead.

Svitolina's energy levels dipped in the second set and Putintseva's game plan of getting the Ukrainian moving with deft drop shots at every available opportunity found more and more success. She broke Svitolina twice in the second set, and three times in the third set, to finish off the come-from-behind victory.

Svitolina's trademark fighting spirit was on display in the final set, though. She twice pegged Putintseva back even from a break down before eventually running out of steam. In the final game, Putintseva carved out two inch-perfect backhand drop shots -- one at break point and the other on match point.

Svitolina looking forward to 'new challenges' as comeback to tennis continues

Up next: Putintseva will be the first opponent for No.7 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova

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Former champ Stephens advances

Elsewhere, there were better fortunes for Sloane Stephens, the player Svitolina beat to win the WTA Finals in 2018. Stephens, the 2016 champ in Charleston, came from a set down to defeat fellow American Louisa Chirico

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Stephens will face former World No.1 and No.6 seed Victoria Azarenka

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Highlights: Stephens def. Chirico | Grabher def. Zhang | Begu def. Galfi | L. Fruhvirtova def. Teichmann

All four completed matches on Credit One Stadium went the distance. Linda Fruhvirtova

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After Stephens' win, Monday night's session was interrupted by rain. The first-round match between Sofia Kenin

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