Annecy Rose Open RD1: Garas and Beinhard Cause Seeding Upsets

The first day of one of the Tour’s biggest events, the Challenger 30 level Annecy Rose Open, saw a couple of seeding upsets, as Egypt’s Nardine Garas and Germany’s Saskia Beinhard making it through to the last 16 of the competition.

It was an international opening day at the RM Club in Annecy, with players from nine countries taking to the court, and seven of those nations represented saw victories, including both Germany and Egypt.

Beinhard, the German No.1, came up against England’s Anna Kimberley in the first round of the Challenger 30 level tournament, and she was able to get the better of her higher-ranked opponent in straight games. The pair had never met on Tour before, and it was the World No.89 who took control after a tight first game. She was able to hold that momentum throughout the match to win in three, and set up a second round contest with No.6 seed Anna Serme.

The other surprise winner on the opening day was Egypt’s Nardine Garas, as the World No.94 got the better of Spain’s Cristina Gomez, ranked inside the world’s top 50, in a four-game battle. Garas won the first game on a tie-break, and after losing the second game in comprehensive fashion, she fought back to win the third and fourth by an 11-6 scoreline to win 3-1, and book her spot in the second round, where she will face Finnish No.1 Emilia Soini.

The last 16 of the Annecy Rose Open will take place at the RM Club in Annecy on Wednesday, April 6, with the seeded players making their starts in the draw. The club’s Facebook page will show live action from the tournament throughout the week.

First Round Results: Annecy Rose Open
Marie Stephan (FRA) bt Elise Romba (FRA) 3-2: 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5 (44m)
Nadia Pfister (SUI) bt [WC] Vanessa Florens (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-2 (16m)
Grace Gear (ENG) bt Ella Galova (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8 (31m)
Julianne Courtice (ENG) bt Ali Loke (WAL) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-2 (19m)
Tessa ter Sluis (NED) bt Taba Taghavi (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 (21m)
Nardine Garas (EGY) bt Cristina Gomez (ESP) 3-1: 12-10, 1-11, 11-6, 11-6 (31m)
Saskia Beinhard (GER) bt Anna Kimberley (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (42m)
Sarah Cardwell (AUS) bt [WC] Ninon Lemarchand (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 (20m)

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Wednesday, April 6
[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) v Marie Stephan (FRA)
Nadia Pfister (SUI) v [5] Enora Villard (FRA)
[8] Milou van der Heijden (NED) v Grace Gear (ENG)
Julianne Courtice (ENG) v [4] Jasmine Hutton (ENG)
[3] Tinne Gilis (BEL) v Tessa ter Sluis (NED)
Nardine Garas (EGY) v [7] Emilia Soini (FIN)
[6] Anna Serme (CZE) v Saskia Beinhard (GER)
Sarah Cardwell (AUS) v [2] Nada Abbas (EGY)