American Alison Riske has stunned Russian fourth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round of the 2014 Hobart International today.
Riske knocked the world no. 30 out of the tournament with with 6-3 6-2 win.
The 23 year-old American, ranked 55, played aggressive tennis and had her higher ranked opponent on the back foot throughout the match.
The match was twice delayed by rain. The first was just after Riske had taken the first set and the second delay, when she held a 4-1 lead in the second.
“It was tricky with all the rain delays, so I’m just happy to get through,” Riske said.
Riske was able to break Pavlyuchenkova to win the match, claiming it on a third match point when her increasingly frustated opponent double-faulted.
“Any win is a big win, because everyone is a good player,” Riske said. “But I definitely thought I played a solid match today.”
Riske, competing in a Hobart International main draw for the first time, now faces a second round showdown with Australian wildcard Casey Dellacqua.
“I’ve never played her before and I’m sure she will have some support behind her, but I’ll just look to play my game,” Riske said.