Volvo Car Open begins with major doubles upset

The second-seeded doubles team of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka went out in the first round of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston Today. The former French Open champions were defeated 6-4, 6-2 by Spaniards Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja in the only doubles match played on opening day of the event's main draw.

One lucky loser and one qualifier advanced today in singles play. 2014 runner-up Jana Cepelova, who got into the main draw as a lucky loser, defeated Anastasija Sevastova, and qualifier (and 2012 runner-up) Elena Vesnina defeated qualifier Cindy Burger.

One seed lost. 16th seed Misaki Doi was defeated 4-6,  6-3, 6-1 by Kateryna Bondarenko.

2009 champion Sabine Lisicki defeated Irina Falconi in straight sets. Caroline Garcia, who was seeded last year, lost in a third-set tiebreak to Irina Camilia Begu. Last year, Begu (who was also seeded in 2015) gave eventual champion Angelique Kerber one of her toughtest challenges when they competed in the quarterfinals.

Daniel Island local Shelby Rogers lost her first round match to Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

One of tomorrow's most interesting matches, I think, will be the one played by Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and Kiki Mladenovic. Mladenovic beat Tatjana Maria today, but not without a bit of racket tossing.

Photo by Daniel Ward

Another must-watch tomorrow will be played by 2010 champion Sam Stosur and Aleksandra Krunic. Krunic, who has performed extremely well for the Serbian Fed Cup team, can be a tough competitor, and could make things interesting if Stosur's serve is a bit off. Also of interest--Genie Bouchard will compete against Alexandra Dulgheru.

Tuesday's night match features defending champion Angelique Kerber, who will face off against Spain's Lara Arruabarrena.