Muguruza gets much-needed win in Eastbourne
Sports
Garbine Muguruza beat Magdalena Frech 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) to reach last 16 of Eastbourne International.
EASTBOURNE (AFP) - Garbine Muguruza kickstarted a difficult season as the former Wimbledon champion beat Poland s Magdalena Frech 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) to reach the last 16 of the Eastbourne International on Monday.
The number five seed earned just her third win on the WTA Tour since February.
"The conditions were hard today. I feel like I fought hard against the wind, and I haven t played many matches on grass either," said Muguruza.
"I could see today that if I didn t fight as hard as I can, I wasn t going to win."
Muguruza next faces the winner of the second round match between 12th seed Camila Giorgi and Canadian lucky loser Rebecca Marino, who got the better of Britain s Heather Watson 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.
Magda Linette produced an upset to beat 17th seed Alison Riske in a marathon encounter lasting over three hours.
World number 66 Linette came from a set down to outlast Riske 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
All eyes on Tuesday will turn to Serena Williams return to court as she pairs up with world number three Ons Jabeur in the doubles.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, has not played since suffering an injury during her first-round match at Wimbledon 12 months ago, plummeting to 1,204th in the world rankings.
However, the 40-year-old has been handed a wildcard to return to singles action at Wimbledon next week and is getting some match practice this week at Eastbourne.
"Many players were jealous because I m playing with her. Honestly, Serena is Serena. She is a legend and always will be," said Jabeur.
Williams and Jabeur begin their partnership against Spain s Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
In the men s event, Australia s Alex de Minaur began the defence of his title with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Chilean Cristian Garin.
America s Sebastian Korda pulled out of Wimbledon due to "terrible shin splints" after he lost in straight sets to John Millman 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
Millman will next play Kazakhstan s Alexander Bublik after he beat seventh seed Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0.
