Second round Lugano complete

The quarter finals are now set in Lugano following the completion of second round matches, and only one seed is left.

Samsung Open presented by cornèr -  a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Lugano, Switzerland, 8-14 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Elise Mertens (2) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 6-2

Second round results 

- Iga Swiatek defeated Viktoria Kuzmova (3) 6-3 3-6 6-2

Poland’s Swiatek, reigning junior Wimbledon champions, is only 17, and ranked 115. This was her first win over a top 50 opponent, and came in just her fourth WTA main draw appearance.

- Vera Lapko (8) defeated Evgeniya Rodina 6-2 6-0

- Stefanie Voegele defeated Viktorija Golubic 6-1 6-1

- Veronika Kudermetova defeated Rebecca Peterson (7) 1-6 6-4 7-6(2)

- Kristyna Pliskova defeated qualifier Antonia Lottner 6-2 6-4

- Wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova v Tímea Bacsinszky

Kuznetsova had won all four of their previous contests, the last two in 2016, Miami and Cincinnati. Today Kuznetsova served first and held comfortably. After that it was a break fest. In game two, Bacsinszky saved one break point but a backhand into the net cost her on the second break chance. The next two games also saw the serve broken, only a single point going with the server. Kuznetsova extended her advantage to 4-1 after saving two more break points - an ace, plus a wide Swiss backhand brought it back to deuce, and the Russian played the last two points confidently.

After holding serve for the first time, highlighted by an excellent lob, Bacsinszky was unstoppable, winning three more games on the run, including two breaks of the Kuznetsova delivery, to lead 5-4, and be at the line serving for the set.

Kuznetsova denied Bacsinszky, thanks largely to errors off the Swiss racquet, and two break points arose after a forced forehand into the net. A repeat of that offence donated the break and 5-5 was the result. Bacsinszky was again at the line to serve for the set, after Kuznetsova was victim to a lob, a forehand down the line and drop shot, and lost her serve. This time Bacsinszky was more assured and raced to 40-15 with a backhand cross court winner,  and backhand down the line. A lucky net cord finished the set 7-5 for the Swiss player.

Bacsinszky broke early in set two for a 2-1 lead, but Kuznetsova struck back immediately in game four. The Russian surrendered just two points on serve for the remainder of the set, and only one break point arrived for either player. 

It was in game six, and Kuznetsova converted for 4-2, proceeding to win the set 6-3.

Kuznetsova broke serve in the third game of the decider, and no more threats to serve appeared until the eighth game, where Bacsinszky had the chance to break back, having her opponent at 30-40. Kuznetsova avoided the problem, and held on for 5-3. Bacsinszky did likewise and the veteran Russian, winner at Roland Garros 10 years ago, and the US Open 15 years ago, was at the line serving for the match. No problems and Sveta Kuznetsova won 5-7 6-3 6-4 to advance to the quarter finals.

Quarter final match ups 

Kristyna Pliskova v wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 

Iga Swiatek v Vera Lapko (8)

Stefanie Voegele v Fiona Ferro

Veronika Kudermetova v Polona Hercog