Pliskova escapes trouble, Rybakina is upset, and the weather proves to be not too tough an opponent

Karolina Pliskova (photo by Daniel Ward)

Karolina Pliskova had to fight hard today to hold on to her place in the Credit One Charleston Open draw. Katarina Zavatska took the first set off of the 3rd seed, and led 5-3 in the second set. The players had to stop play at 3-2 in the second set yesterday because of rain, which only added to the drama. It took her two hours and 48 minutes, but Pliskova was able to end the match with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 victory. The Czech star missed the first two months of the season because of a right hand injury. For her part, Zavatska, who is from Ukraine, was out for six months because of a forearm injury.

Fifth seed Elena Rybanika was upset today by another Ukrainian player, Anhelina Kalinina, who defeated Rybanika 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. 

Madison Keys (photo by Daniel Ward)

Aryna Sabalenka (photo by Daniel Ward)

Top seed (and wild card) Aryna Sabalenka defeated Alison Riske 7-6, 6-4, 2nd seed Paula Badosa defeated Anna Bondar 6-1, 6-4, 6th seed Jessica Pegula defeated Jasmine Paolini, 9th seed Madison Keys defeated Ulrikke Eikeri 6-3, 6-1, and 10th seed Belinda Bencic defeated Linda Fruhvirtova 6-1, 7-6. Other seeds who won were Alize Cornet (12), Ajla Tomljanovic (14), and Amanda Anisimova (15). Lucky loser Coco Vandeweghe also won her match, Claire Liu upset 16th seed Zhang Shuai, and Kaia Kanepi won her match this evening.

Alize Cornet (photo by Daniel Ward)

Ekaterina Alexandrova advanced to the next round when her opponent, Zheng Qinwen, had to retire in the third set.

After the rain delay, things went well--until we were under a tornado warning. But--in keeping with a very fortunate Charleston tennis tradition--that warning turned into a watch, and the severe thunderstorm warning loomed over us, but nothing bad happened. After a break, late afternoon matches resumed.

Paula Badosa (photo by Daniel Ward)