Agency :
Top-seeded Petra Martic came back from one set down to dispatch Russian qualifier Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Palermo Ladies Open quarterfinals on Thursday.
The match lasted for two and half hours on the clay court in the first WTA Tour tournament following a five-month break due to the COVID-19.
The Croatian will next face another qualifier, Aliaksandra Sasnovich from Belarus, who eliminated Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-0, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Fourth-seeded Anett Kontaveit also had to come from behind to defeat Laura Siegemund in three sets 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
The Estonian will encounter Italian wild-card entry Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinal.
Italy’s Camila Giorgi also managed a comeback victory over Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Players and officials for the tournament are being tested every four days for COVID-19 and one player who tested positive withdrew over the weekend.
New protocols include fewer ball kids, a limited number of fans and no post-match handshakes between opponents.
Top-seeded Petra Martic came back from one set down to dispatch Russian qualifier Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Palermo Ladies Open quarterfinals on Thursday.
The match lasted for two and half hours on the clay court in the first WTA Tour tournament following a five-month break due to the COVID-19.
The Croatian will next face another qualifier, Aliaksandra Sasnovich from Belarus, who eliminated Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-0, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Fourth-seeded Anett Kontaveit also had to come from behind to defeat Laura Siegemund in three sets 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
The Estonian will encounter Italian wild-card entry Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinal.
Italy’s Camila Giorgi also managed a comeback victory over Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Players and officials for the tournament are being tested every four days for COVID-19 and one player who tested positive withdrew over the weekend.
New protocols include fewer ball kids, a limited number of fans and no post-match handshakes between opponents.
