Kerber, Watson survive tests in Monterrey
World number one Angelique Kerber edged through at the Monterrey Open, while defending champion Heather Watson did likewise.
Kerber, who is enduring a difficult year so far, overcame Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone 4-6 6-0 6-4 in the first round on Tuesday.
The German had lost three of her previous five matches against Schiavone and a repeat looked likely until she steadied, with one break in the third set enough to see her advance.
World No.1 @AngeliqueKerber survives!
Edges Schiavone 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 in @Abierto_GNP First round! pic.twitter.com/jw662N6zM6
— WTA (@WTA) April 5, 2017
Watson, whose third and most recent title came at the WTA International event last year, was also challenged.
The Brit eventually got past Nina Stojanovic 6-2 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 in almost three hours.
.@HeatherWatson92 begins @Abierto_GNP title defense with a hard-fought 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-4 win over Stojanovic! pic.twitter.com/Ke7CmOHB5H
— WTA (@WTA) April 4, 2017
Seeds Carla Suarez Navarro, Timea Babos, Ekaterina Makarova and Alize Cornet all advanced.
Suarez Navarro had few problems against Alison Van Uytvanck in a 6-2 6-4 win and Babos cruised past qualifier Lesley Kerkhove 6-1 6-3.
Makarova overcame Denisa Allertova 6-4 6-3 and Cornet was too good for Irina Khromacheva 6-1 6-4.
The only seed to fall was Christina McHale, the American going down to qualifier Tereza Martincova 3-6 7-5 6-4.
Kristie Ahn advanced with a 6-4 6-2 win over Jana Cepelova and fellow qualifier Nadia Podoroska beat Madison Brengle 7-5 0-6 6-3.
Mandy Minella booked her spot in the second round with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 success over Elitsa Kostova.
