Charleston, day 1

Yulia Putintseva (photo by Daniel Ward)

 

Former world number number 3 Elina Svitolina returned to the tour today and played a tough first round match against Yulia Putinseva. Svitolina had been off of the tour for a little over a year, but she and Putinseva proceeded to battle it out in a three-set contest, just the way they used to. Putintseva won, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, but it took her two hours and 46 minutes to get the job done. 

Putintseva's next opponent won't be familiar at all. For the first time in her career, she'll face off against 7th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Elena Svitolina (photo by Daniel Ward)

Also winning today was the young Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, who defeated Jil Teichmann, also in three sets. And 2016 champion Sloane Stephens needed three sets to defeat Louisa Chirico. Stephens' next opponent will be Victoria Azarenka.

Tomorrow, many eyes will be on Shelby Rogers and 13th seed Danielle Collins. Also, making their first appearances will be 12th seed Paula Badosa, 9th seed Madison Keys, 2nd seed Ons Jabeur, and 16th seed Marie Bouzkova.