The biggest story on Tuesday at the AGEL Open in Ostrava, Czech Republic was that of Alycia Parks’. The American ousted Karolina Pliskova, 6-0, 7-6(3) in an hour and 28 minutes in their first-round match.
Both Parks and Pliskova combined for a total of 15 double faults in the match, eight of which came off Pliskova’s racquet. However, Parks also had six aces while her opponent had none. Parks also won 72% of her first-serve points while winning 85% points on return on the ex-world no. 1’s second serve. She converted all five break points that came her way on Pliskova’s serve while saving one of the three break points she faced.
This was the first time in her career that Parks’ defeated someone ranked in the top-20 of the WTA rankings. Speaking about this feat, she said, “This is my first Top 20 win, so I’m very grateful and thankful to get through the match today.”
In the second round, Parks will play fourth seed Maria Sakkari, who received a first-round bye.
AGEL OPEN: Daria Kasatkina bests Emma Raducanu
Daria Kasatkina advanced to the second round in the Czech tournament. The fifth seed beat Emma Raducanu in their first-round match, 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 31 minutes. This is the first time Kasatkina’s playing a tournament since her first-round loss to Harriet Dart in Flushing Meadows.
Kasatkina won 71% of her first-serve points and 65% points on return on the Briton’s second serve. She saved three of the five break points she faced while converting four of the six break points that came her way on Raducanu’s serve.
Next up for Kasatkina will be Ekaterina Alexandrova. Alexandrova defeated Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in their first-round match on Monday.
Meanwhile, Aliaksandra Sasnovich posted the sole upset on Tuesday at the AGEL Open. Sasnovich took down eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 13 minutes. Sasnovich will play Elena Rybakina for a chance to reach the quarter-finals. The Kazakh won against Madison Keys, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
