China's Zhu, ranked No. 35, became just the
second top-50 player to lose to the Dallas resident in her young
career. This was the pair's first meeting and Krueger's 11th
main-draw appearance.
Krueger had the edge in aces, 7-3, and never had to save a break
point in the 96-minute match. She broke Zhu on her first service
game of the match, and Zhu was 1-for-2 in saving break points.
"I think I was very aggressive today, playing a lot of really
aggressive tennis and using my serve," said Krueger, who
recorded 28 winners to 13 for her opponent. "I think I just
stayed mentally tough the whole time. Lots of aggressive shots
and trusting in myself."
Guadalajara Open
All four seeded players who were in action posted first-round
victories in Mexico.
Twelfth-seeded Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine faced the least
resistance among that group of winners, losing only two games in
beating Grace Min of the United States 6-2, 6-0 in 61 minutes.
In a matchup of Belgians, 13th-seeded Elise Mertens survived a
first-set tiebreaker to defeat Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Mertens had eight aces and won 25 of 35 first-service points.
No. 15 Jasmine Paolini of Italy had a harder time in the second
set than the first, defeating Louisa Chirico of the U.S. 6-0,
7-6 (3).
The Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova, who is seeded 16th,
knocked off Ena Shibahara of Japan 7-5, 6-2.
Elsewhere, Sloane Stephens of the U.S. edged countrywoman Ann Li
7-5, 6-4, and Canada's Leylah Fernandez breezed past American
Asia Muhammad 6-1, 6-3.
Other winners were Taylor Townsend, Hailey Baptiste and Alycia
Parks of the U.S.; Eugenie Bouchard of Canada; Dayana Yastremska
of Ukraine; Martina Trevisan of Italy; Cristina Bucsa of Spain;
and Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
None of the day's 14 matches went to a third set.
--Field Level Media
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