Rybakina Holds Her Ground, Keys, Osaka, and Kasatkina Out: Day's Results at the WTA 500 Berlin
Six matches were scheduled for Tuesday to conclude the first round of the WTA 500 tournament in Berlin. After Zheng Qinwen withdrew, Ashlyn Krueger ultimately faced Elena Rybakina in the late match.
The Kazakh player, who lost in the quarterfinals to Tatjana Maria at Queen’s, was determined to bounce back in the German capital. On her 26th birthday, the world No. 11 delivered a strong performance, securing a straight-sets victory (6-3, 7-6 in just over an hour). She will now face Katerina Siniakova for a spot in the quarterfinals.
However, other title contenders stumbled in their opening matches. Australian Open champion Madison Keys fell to Marketa Vondrousova, the 2022 Wimbledon winner (7-5, 7-6). The Czech player will next take on Diana Shnaider, who defeated Donna Vekic (6-2, 6-4).
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka was upset by Liudmila Samsonova (3-6, 7-6, 6-4). The world No. 20 will now challenge defending champion Jessica Pegula in the next round. Daria Kasatkina, ranked 16th, suffered her third consecutive loss, this time to Wang Xinyu (6-3, 6-2).
The Chinese player will meet Coco Gauff in her next match. Finally, Amanda Anisimova also advanced. The Queen’s finalist had no trouble overcoming Bianca Andreescu (6-4, 6-3) and will face Magdalena Frech in the round of 16.
Berlin 
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
The paradox dividing tennis: exhausted players and a saturated calendar, yet ever more exhibitions 
Training future champions: spotlight on the decline of the French public model facing private academies 
Is padel threatening tennis? Inside the revolution shaking up the established order