Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2021 | Leigh Rogers

Australia’s Daria Gavrilova has begun her season in style, advancing to the second round of the Yarra Valley Classic at Melbourne Park.

Gavrilova was outstanding in a 6-2 6-0 win against world No.98 Viktoria Kuzmova at Margaret Court Arena today.

“I played really well. I was pretty happy with my serve,” Gavrilova said after recording victory in 65 minutes.

“I never used to get free points off my serve and today I did. I felt like my second serve was really good, I was able to mix it up well.”

https://twitter.com/TennisAustralia/status/1355749448266080256?s=20

The No.451-ranked wildcard, contesting only her third tour-level event in a comeback from a 12-month injury lay-off, proved she’s one to watch in 2021.

“I’m just really enjoying tennis. I feel like I’m playing good tennis consistently and I’ve had good training blocks,” said the former world No.20.

Gavrilova, who has been successfully managing ongoing Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, is thrilled with her improved fitness too.

“Not having modified training brings me so much joy,” she said. “I’m feeling like I can sprint to any ball. Not being scared gives me confidence.”

This bodes well for her second-round clash with fifth seed Serena Williams. Williams, who is currently ranked No.11, leads their head-to-head record 3-0.

“I think she’s the greatest,” Gavrilova said of her next opponent. “I grew up watching Serena and Venus.”

Gavrilova and world No.1 Ash Barty, who had a first-round bye, are the final two Australian women in the Yarra Valley Classic singles draw.

Sam Stosur’s comeback ended in a straight-sets loss to 16th seed Marie Bouzkova, while Kimberly Birrell was unable to capitalise on an early lead in her clash with German Mona Barthel. Maddison Inglis and Lizette Cabrera also lost in the opening round.

There was better news for Barty, who scored her first win of the summer in doubles with American Jennifer Brady.

YARRA VALLEY CLASSIC

RESULTS

Women’s singles, first round
[WC] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) d Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK) 6-2 6-0
[16] Marie Bouzkova (CZE) d Sam Stosur (AUS) 6-2 6-0
Varvara Gracheva (RUS) d [WC] Lizette Cabrera (AUS) 2-6 6-4 6-2
Rebecca Peterson (SWE) d [WC] Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-2 6-1
Mona Barthel (GER) d [WC] Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 7-5 6-3

Women’s doubles, first round
[8] Ash Barty (AUS)/Jennifer Brady (USA) d Sharon Fichman (CAN)/Giuliana Olmos (MEX) 7-6(2) 6-1
Karolina Muchova (CZE)/Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) d [WC] Lizette Cabrera (AUS)/Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-3 6-3

COMING UP

Women’s singles, second round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v Ana Bogdan (ROU)
[WC] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) v [5] Serena Williams (USA)

> VIEW: Full Yarra Valley Classic women’s singles draw

Women’s doubles, first round
[WC] Olivia Gadecki (AUS)/Belinda Woolcock (AUS) v [WC] Jaimee Fourlis (AUS)/Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz (AUS)

Women’s doubles, second round
[8] Ash Barty (AUS)/Jennifer Brady (USA) v TBD

> VIEW: Full Yarra Valley Classic women’s doubles draw

Tickets for the Melbourne Summer Series, which begin from $20 for adults and $5 for children, are available through Ticketmaster. All events will be played within the Margaret Court Arena Zone at Melbourne Park.

TV GUIDE: How to watch the Melbourne Summer Series