Florianopolis, Brazil – Annika Beck of Germany and Slovakian Jana Cepelova were each victorious in their opening round matches at the inaugural WTA Brasil Tennis Cup.
Beck needed a third set but disposed of Brazilian native Maria Fernanda Alves in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 decision on the hardcourts at Federacao Catarinense de Tenis to advance to the second round,
There she will face Cepelova, who took care of Brazilian Paula Cristina Goncalves in an hour and 25 minutes, winning in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.
Former No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is the top seed in this tournament. The American will face Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in first round action on Monday.
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