Muguruza overpower Elizaveta Kulichkova in Aegon Classic

Fifth-seeded Garbine Muguruza defeated the Russian qualifier Elizaveta Kulichkova to snap her Birmingham losing streak at the Aegon Classic.

Muguruza, former Wimbledon finalist, won her first grass match of the season with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory in three sets against the ranked No. 154 21-year-old Russian.

The 23 year-old Spanish-Venezuelan tennis player who represents Spain in the competitions came in the Premier event having 0-2 record in her two previous appearances and was very happy to record a win in Birmingham.

“It was my first match on grass, and I feel a little bit like a rookie, but I’m happy. I have such good memories on grass in the past few years – but it’s my third time in Birmingham and first time I win a match! Finally!” said Muguruza

Muguraza ‘s next match in the second round of the competition will be Alison Riske, a top-50 American and former semi-finalist.

Riske beat down the Nottingham Champion Donna Vekic with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) triump.

Meanwhile, the two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also got her opening match victory against compatriot Tereza Smitkova with a 6-2, 6-3 success.

Kvitova recently returned to action, playing two matches at the French Open after being injured in a knife attack at her home last year.

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Photo Credit: wtatennis