Marie Benoit knocks down Elvina Kalieva in the 1st round of the $25,000 tournament in Orlando (Florida)

Opposed to the American Elvina Kalieva (WTA 201), the Eupenoise started rather badly. The first set also saw the representative of the Verviers district accumulate avoidable faults and lose 6-3.

During the second set, Benoit reacted and won 6-3, enough to afford a 3rd set which she won 6-4, following several successive breaks and counter-breaks. Here she is on the next turn.

Note that, as she told us earlier this weekMarie Benoit is considering this tournament in Orlando “as a bonus”but count “give everything to continue to progress”.