STUTTGART, April 14, 2024 (Press Release)
Spectators enjoyed high-class tennis at the start of the 47th edition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in qualifying Saturday. Special focus was on World No. 26 Anna Kalinskaya of Russia, who faced German Carolina Kuhl in her opening match. Playing for the first time at this level, the 19-year-old lefty Kuhl gave her all but succumbed 6-1, 6-2 against her experienced opponent.
In the second and final round of qualifying on Sunday, the top-seeded 25-year-old Kalinskaya will meet the experienced Italian Sara Errani, who defeated Liechtenstein’s Kathinka von Deichmann 6-2, 6-3.
The number one seed Anna #Kalinskaya in the qualifying round advances to the next round with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Carolina #Kuhl.#porschetennis #PTGP24 pic.twitter.com/ILWbOzFv22
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 13, 2024
In the first match of the day on Court 1, Ella Seidel of Germany, from the Porsche Talent Team, faced the No. 4 seed Oceane Dodin of France. Despite a courageous performance, the 19-year-old Seidel lost 6-4, 6-1. In the qualifying finale, Dodin will take on Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus, who narrowly overcame Jana Fett of Croatia, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Aliaksandra #Sasnovich is through to round ✌🏼 of the qualifying. She takes the victory over Jana Fett in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(4). #porschetennis #PTGP24 pic.twitter.com/Aa8BIoPrpu
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 13, 2024
Germany’s Nastasja Schunk, also a member of the Porsche Talent Team, lost to American Sachia Vickery, 6-2, 6-3. Vickery advanced to face Belgian Greet Minnen, who was a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 winner against Olivia Gadecki of Australia. Diana Shnaider of Russia and the Czech Republic’s Sara Bejlek will also go head-to-head in the final round of qualifying following their respective wins.
Sachia #Vickery defeats Nastasja Schunk 6-2, 6-3 and advances to the second qualifying round. #porschetennis #PTGP24 pic.twitter.com/siMO4KyP2w
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 13, 2024
Tournament main draw ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday
At stake on Sunday – play starts at 11 a.m. (Central European) – are four main draw berths. The draw ceremony for the main draw will take place on Court 2 at 1 p.m. Assisting the Operating Tournament Director Anke Huber will be former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova. Main draw play begins on Monday in Porsche Arena.
Sunday’s order of play
Court 1 (starting at 11 a.m.)
[4] O. Dodin (FRA) vs [6] A. Sasnovich
[3] G. Minnen (BEL) vs [7] S. Vickery (USA)
[1] A. Kalinskaya vs [5] S. Errani (ITA)
Court 2 (starting at 2 p.m.)
[2] D. Shnaider vs [8] S. Bejlek (CZE)
