By Erik Gudris | Monday, March 31, 2014

 

Despite it not being her favorite surface, Madison Keys kicked off her clay court season with a win at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

Photo Credit: AP

Opening day action at the Family Circle Cup saw several American hopefuls take to the green clay courts in Charleston.

Madison Keys, who reached the quarterfinals last year, was one of the first out on Billie Jean King Stadium Court. Taking on veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, the 19-year old Keys found herself needing two tiebreaks before closing out the 7-6(0), 7-6(3) win.

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While Keys freely admits playing on clay is not her preferred thing, she is adapting better to the surface.

"Didn't play great. Did play well at other times. It was one of those first time back on clay matches and just getting your rhythm. Yeah, just happy to get through it," Keys said about the match.

After climbing inside the top 40 last season, Keys is entering this year knowing she can play well but not dwelling on past results.

"Obviously last year I was just coming out, didn't really have any expectations. There's definitely knowing that I can play well and do well so really focusing on continuing to focus off last year and have a good solid year."

Kirilenko, Oudin, Voegele Fall in First Round

No. 10 seed Maria Kirilenko, after being unable to play for several months due to a knee injury, made her season debut on Monday. Kirilenko took on young Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

Bencic claimed the first set and jumped out to sizable lead in the second set. Kirilenko mounted a comeback. Saving four match points, Kirilenko would level things at 5-all. But Bencic, breaking back in the next game, would finally serve out the 6-1, 7-5 win.

Another Swiss player did not fare as well in her opening round encounter. Stefanie Voegele, who reached the semifinals last year, looked to be in control over Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic. Voegele took the first set in a tiebreak only to watch her opponent storm back to win the second set.

Despite Voegele being ahead 5-2 in the final set, Tomljanovic came back to win the last five games to close out the 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5 win.

Melanie Oudin, who is just returning to the tour after dealing with injury, hoped to jumpstart things in her first main draw match this season.

Though Oudin played a strong first set, her opponent Jana Cepelova took it in a tiebreak 7-6(2). Cepelova would assume control in the second set and eventually wrapped up a 7-6(2), 6-2 win.

Top seed and defending champion Serena Williams will next face Cepelova in Tuesday's featured night match.