Kruger's Tuks International run ends in second round

South African wildcard Isabella Kruger's run in the Tuks International singles event came to an end on Thursday at the hands of Anastasia Tikhonova with the Russian sixth seed winning their second-round clash in straight sets.

The 16-year-old Kruger, who won her first match at the $60 000 level tournament on Wednesday, went down 6-4, 6-3 in a match that lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Kruger was excited reaching the second round in her first ITF $60 000 World Tennis Tour event and her performance in Tshwane is something she will be looking to build on.

“The match was quite tough today, I played against an experienced player, and she was there every point fighting,” said Kruger.

“Maybe things could have turned out differently had I made a few unforced errors as one cannot afford to make so many unforced errors against an experienced player.

“Nevertheless, I am happy I got through the first round and an opportunity to play in this tournament. Now my focus will be on the doubles.

Isabella and her sister, Zoe, are through to the doubles quarterfinal round where they go up against Mana Ayukawa (Japan) and Joanne Zuger (Switzerland).

Tikhonova, who is coached by Andrey Rublev’s mother, Marina Marenko, will next go up against either Dutch fourth seed Richel Hogenkamp or Ekaterina Reyngold.

Tournament’s top seed Tessah Adrianjafitrimo of France survived a second set scare to record a battling 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over qualifier Eudice Wong Chong from Hong Kong in the second round after 2 hours and 52 minutes.

The 23-year-old looked in grave danger as she was swamped by Chong's booming serve and better hard-court game in the second set on Court 5.

Andrianjafirimo next faces British eighth seed Yuriko Lily Miyazaki who toppled four-time Grand Slam doubles champion Timea Babos 6-1, 7-5.

RESULTS

1- Tessah Andrianjafitrimo (FRA) bt Q-Eudice Wong Chong (HKG) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
2-Valeria Savinykh (RUS) bt Maja Chwalinska (POL) 6-3, 7-6(5)
6-Anastasia Tikhonova (RUS) bt WC-Isabella Kruger (RSA) 6-4, 6-3
7-Joanne Zuger (SUI) bt Irina Khromacheva (RUS) 7-6(4), 6-2
8-Yuriko Miyazaki (JPN) bt Timea Babos (HUN) 6-1, 7-5
Lina Glushko (ISR) bt Q-Sandra Samir (EGY) w/o
Carole Monnet (FRA) bt 3-Jodie Anna Burrage (GBR) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5