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Naomi Broady into Kuala Lumpur R2 – RECAP & PREVIEW

Ros Satar
Tennis

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By Ros Satar

  • Naomi Broady def. Klara Koukalova 6-3 3-6 6-3
  • Faces Qualifier Yang Zhaoxuan who defeated eighth seed Zheng Saisai (4-6 6-3 6-2)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Naomi Broady added to the earlier British successes of Johanna Konta  and Heather Watson in Monterrey, as she advanced to the second round of the BMW Malaysian Open.

Britwatch Tennis:

Broady is making her main draw debut in Kuala Lumpur, having fallen in qualifying in her first time out last year, and the pair traded breaks early on before things settled down to a more steady rhythm, with Broady breaking late to serve out the first set.

Koukalova salvaged two set points, even gaining a break point on Broady, before the Brit took the first set.

Trading breaks was the name of the set with two at the start of the second set, and another brace half way through before the Czech got that all important extra one to put her in the lead. The fight was on, as Koukalova took four set points to draw level.

The final set was perhaps their most competitive, but Broady took the initiative at the end to make a decisive break to serve for the match, converting on her second match point.

The British No. 3 will now face qualifier Yang Zhaoxuan who knocked out eighth seed Zheng Saisai. She has been enjoying some success, ending Angelique Kerber’s triumphant return to the tour after her Australian Open in Doha last week.

This may well be another battle – Both are match-sharp coming in. Broady won the 100K in Midland, USA before bowing out in the final round of Doha qualifying, while Yang played qualies here and so might feel a little more au fait with her surroundings.

This is a perfect chance for Broady to really put British No. 2 Watson under the pump. Watson had slipped down the rankings to outside the Top 80 last week, although a good run in Monterrey could help her jump back up the rankings.

Broady and Yang are likely to be scheduled in the second round on Thursday.