Tennis at the tour points resumed on Monday after a five-month forced break, and the players at the Palermo Ladies Open had to take care of their own towels and not shake hands with their opponents.
Strict regulations due to coronavirus came with on-site showers, autographs or photos with fans. The big single players come from 16 European countries and Argentina.
A limited number of enthusiasts were allowed to enter the 1,500-seat stadium court and had to take social estrangement measures.
They saw sixth seeded Donna Vekic beat Arantxa Rus of holland 6-1, 6-2 in the first official match, male or female, since early March.
“I’m really pleased not to know how to play tennis, how to play matches, how to win,” Vekic said in a video conference. ‘It’s a big relief, so I’m really satisfied right now.
Remarkable meeting, @SaraErrani! ? – LadiesOpenPA #ShotoftheDay pic.twitter.com/NPLgLIiKn4
“It was definitely a little strange. I was nervous yesterday, even more today, but after the first games I was calm and focused.”
Vekic sealed a round spot at the moment in his attack-by-ball, breaking for the sixth time in the attack when Rus hit a wide forehand.
Vekic will face Italian teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who beat Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 7-6 (1), 6-3 in her first win over a top 50 player.
But beyond this week, Vekic has little idea whether his plans can simply be replaced as the pandemic continues to occur around the world.
Vekic hopes to play at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals last year, and at the French Open as in Rome.
“Things are replaced every week, so I think we have to take it week after week and check to adapt as productive as we can, and expect to play as much as we can,” Vekic said. “Uncertainty gives each and every one a lot of anxiety.”
The U.S. Open is scheduled to begin on August 31 and the French Open on September 27.
Laura Siegemund of Germany took over in two sets, beating Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-3, 6-4.
Siegemund will face fourth seed Anett Kontaveit or Patricia Maria Oig.
It’s more complicated for Sara Errani, the only former winner of the draw. The 2012 winner took nearly 3 hours to win 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
The Italian will face third seed Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-4.
Early-morning victory ? @KrisPliskova secured a second-round spot after beating Sakkari 6-4, 6-4. PLO20 pic.twitter.com/OAvWUGaUJW
A third Italian also came to the moment after Jasmine Paolini came back after a set and a break to beat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Results: Eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova also recovered from a set to beat Kristina Mladenovic 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 and seventh seed Dayana Yastremska triumphed 6-3, 6-4 over Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Players and anyone who contacts the players have been screened to detect COVID-19 before departing for Palermo, on arrival, and then back every 4 days.
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