TENNIS in DEPTH.

Sabine Lisicki only needed an hour and three minutes to reach the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. On Wednesday evening the German Fed Cup player faced Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) and continued the successful run she has been on over the past few weeks. The 19-year-old, who sensationally won the Charleston (USA) tournament, came out on top 6-4, 6-3. “The opening match was important for me,” said Lisicki after her win in front of 4,300 spectators in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena. “Now I’m hoping to carry on from my wins in Charleston and at the Fed Cup.”

For Sabine Lisicki, the current No. 42 in the WTA world rankings, the victory was especially satisfying as the Swiss women had beaten her in three tight sets in their last meeting in February. The new German hope will now meet title-holder Jelena Jankovic. “It’ll be a really tough match,” said Lisicki, “but at the moment I’m playing so well that I’ve definitely in with a chance against such a strong opponent.”

One player no longer in the tournament is Andrea Petkovic. The German lost the first set 6-4 against Svetlana Kuznetsova, the Russian world No. 9, before turning the tables to play strongly and take the second 7-5. In the third and final set, Kuznetsova then took advantage of her greater experience to close out the match 6-1.

Last year’s winner Jelena Jankovic however was an easy winner in her first round match. The 24-year-old only needed two sets against Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia). “I actually expected a difficult match,” said Jankovic after her 6-1, 6-1 win. “Dominika isn’t an easy opponent to play as she hardly makes any mistakes. But I played well, served well and really enjoyed my tennis. Now that we’re back on clay, I’m getting back slowly to my old form.”

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