Pegula upsets Barthel in Charleston

Jessica Pegula (photo by Daniel Ward)

19-year-old Buffalo native Jessica Pegula, ranked number 148 in the world, upset Charleston 8th seed Mona Barthel in straight sets in the second round in Charleston today. Barthel looked distracted and made repeated unforced errors while Pegula hit the ball like it was coming out of a cannon. And she never let up, beating the world number 29 7-6, 6-1. We've seen Barthel do this kind of thing before, and one can't help but wonder if she's headed for another slump. (I hope not.)

The Goerges forehand was working well today (photo by Daniel Ward)

Barthel wasn't the only seed to make an exit. 7th seed Carla Suarez Navarro was also upset. Stefanie Voegele defeated Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-4. Also losing was 15th seed and former semifinalist Daniela Hantuchova, who was defeated in straight sets in the first round by Marina Erakovic.

Camila Giorgi (photo by Daniel Ward)

Vania King defeated friend and former doubles partner Yaroslava Shvedova, and 2009 champion Sabine Lisicki delivered a pair of bagels to Anna Tatishvili. Yulia Putintseva's coach (that would be Martina Hingis) got into a bit of trouble for overtly coaching from the stands. And Sorana Cirstea got a walkover from Anabel Medina Garrigues. The Spaniard hurt her right knee yesterday. She also withdrew from doubles, which means the tournament is also over for her partner, Daniela Hantuchova.

Julia Goerges, Laura Robson, Madison Keys, and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni all advanced to the second round. Varvara Lepchenko advanced to the third round, as did defending champion Serena Williams. Williams defeated Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3.

Best friends Laura Robson and Eugenie Bouchard play each other tomorrow. Robson is the 16th seed, and Bouchard is a qualifier.

Happy JJ (photo by Daniel Ward)