Kerber, Muguruza through in Monterrey

A two-time runner-up in Monterrey, top seed Angelique Kerber moved into the second round.

Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza booked their spots in the Monterrey Open second round on Tuesday.

Kerber, the top seed and two-time runner-up, overcame qualifier Kristina Kucova 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 on the hard-courts in Mexico.

The German's two final defeats at the WTA International event have come to four-time champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

.@AngeliqueKerber slides into the @Abierto_GNP second round!

Takes a 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Kucova! pic.twitter.com/DW6ij1Z30O

— WTA (@WTA) April 3, 2019

 

Pavlyuchenkova started her bid for a fifth crown with a 6-0 6-3 thrashing of Russian compatriot Anna Blinkova.

Meanwhile, defending champion Muguruza was tested before getting past Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Also in Monterrey, two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka eased through her opener against qualifier Miyu Kato 6-4 6-2.

Kristina Mladenovic battled through, while the only seed to fall was Alison Riske, who was beaten by Sachia Vickery 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.

At the Charleston Open, former champions Sloane Stephens and Kiki Bertens reached the third round.

.@SloaneStephens displayed some incredible hands at the net in her opener at the @VolvoCarOpen! #ShotOfTheDaypic.twitter.com/s2I7CmCjH5

— WTA (@WTA) April 3, 2019

 

Stephens, the 2016 winner struggling for form so far this year, battled past Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4).

Bertens, the defending champion and second seed, had fewer problems, crushing qualifier Martina Trevisan 6-2 6-1.

In first-round matches, the likes of Kaia Kanepi, Danielle Collins and Andrea Petkovic won through.