Katie Malliff (ENG) 3-0 Cindy Merlo (SUI) 12-10, 14-12, 11-0 (28m)
World No.24 Malliff came through two nervy tie-breaks in the opening games of her match with Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo, before running away to an 11-0 third-game victory. The World No.24 will now face No.4 seed Nada Abbas in the second round.
Katie
“I thought I started picking the pace up more in the last [game]. I tried to be more attacking, hitting the ball harder and volleying more.
“She fought back really hard to come back in the second and I think I was 10-6 up and I had to make sure I got the ball past her as she was really attacking, especially on the forehand kill. I had to make sure I was hitting it deep to the back.
“Amanda is really good and really attacking, it’s a good experience for me to play her and I was pleased to pick it back up again.
“I think trying to start well is important as when you play in the first rounds it can be a bit sloppy. Just got to try come out strong and play well.”
