Ons Jabeur beats Jasmine Paolini for first grass win in Eastbourne, Petra Kvitova withdraws ahead of Wimbledon
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Updated 27/06/2023 at 19:32 GMT
Ons Jabeur, who made the Wimbledon final in 2022, is up and running on grass this season as she beat Jasmine Paolini at the Eastbourne International. The fourth seed will next face Heather Watson or Camila Giorgi as she prepares for another shot at Wimbledon, which starts on July 3. Coco Gauff defeated Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-2 while defending champion Petra Kvitova has pulled out of the competition.
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Ons Jabeur won her first grass match of the season as she beat Jasmine Paolini at the Eastbourne International.
Last year’s Wimbledon runner-up was beaten in her grass opener in Berlin the previous week.
However, Jabeur looked improved against Paolini as she won 6-3 6-2.
The fourth seed broke twice in the first set and three times in the second to secure the victory.
She will next face Heather Watson or Camila Giorgi.
Jabeur is one of the leading contenders at Eastbourne, where Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and defending champion Petra Kvitova have both pulled out.
Rybakina withdrew due to a viral illness while Kvitova has withdrawn just a few days after lifting the title in Berlin.
"I'm very sad that I have to withdraw from the tournament in Eastbourne and not have the chance to defend my title," Kvitova said in a statement.
"It's one of my favourite stops on tour and I wish everyone a great week."
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff emerged victorious in the all-American clash against Bernarda Pera. The world No. 7 needed just 61 minutes to get the better of Pera, winning 6-3 6-2.
"Bernarda is not an easy player, especially a lefty on grass," Gauff, who didn't face a break point, said afterwards.
"It was really windy today, so I think we were just trying to make one more ball in the court. Overall, I'm happy with today's win."
Gauff's reward is a second round match against Britain's Jodie Burrage, who defeated Lauren Davis 4-6 6-4 6-3 on Monday.
Jessica Pegula overcame Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-4 after one hour and 38 minutes. Competing in her first grass-court event of the year, Pegula saved eight of the break points she faced and can now look forward to playing Colombian qualifier Camila Osorio in the second round.
British No. 1 Katie Boulter crashed out on Tuesday in straight sets to Croatia's Petra Martic 6-4 7-5.
"I've played seven matches going into the grass, I'm very happy with where I'm at," Boulter said.
"I don't think I've lost any confidence this last couple of weeks just because I lost to higher-ranked players.
"I feel like I'm playing some really good tennis. I've practised unbelievably well every single day this week."
In Wimbledon qualifying, there were wins for British duo Lily Miyazaki,Naiktha Bains and Anna Brogan.
Mirra Andreeva, 16, also won her opening qualifying match.
Liam Broady beat fellow Brit Jan Choinski 6-3 6-4 in Eastbourne.
Wimbledon starts on July 3.
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