Evergreen Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm came from behind to score an upset victory over Germany’s Sabine Lisicki at the Stanford WTA tournament on Tuesday.
Date-Krumm, 44, who was forced to qualify for the main draw, looked to be heading to a rapid defeat after Lisicki whizzed through the first set, winning 6-1.
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But the ageless Japanese favourite fought back brilliantly to clinch a second set tie-break before wrapping up the decider to seal a 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 triumph.
Date-Krumm will now play Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round. Tomljanovic defeated Vitalia Diatchenko 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 to advance.
Serena Williams is missing the tournament in order to focus on her preparation for the upcoming US Open. Photo: AFP
Elsewhere on Tuesday, both seeded players in action advanced safely, with eighth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina beating compatriot Kateryna Bondarenko, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
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German fifth seed Angelique Kerber, meanwhile, had little difficulty in dispatching Russia’s Daria Gavrilova, winning 6-1, 6-3.
Daria Gavrilova of Russia was easily beaten in straight sets by Angelique Kerber of Germany. Photo: AFP
The field for this year’s Stanford tournament was weakened on the eve of the event when world number one Serena Williams withdrew with an injury as she builds towards her tilt at a calendar grand slam at the US Open.
