Minella Avoids Early Round Upset in Baku

By Erik Gudris

(July 23, 2012) -- With many of the top WTA players at the Olympics, it's an opportunity for those competing at the Baku Cup this week in Azerbaijan to earn some valuable ranking points at this WTA International event.

No. 3 seed Mandy Minella of Luxembourg survived an opening round scare when she was pushed to the limit by qualifier Wang Qiang currently ranked No. 259 in the world. Wang, after dropping the first set, won a close second set but hampered by a knee injury late in the decider proved to be too much as Minella edged out a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win.

Fellow seed Andrea Hlavackova wasn't as fortunate as Minella as she fell to tiny Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-1, 6-7(11), 6-4.

Other winners on the day were Alla Kudryavtseva and Tamarine Tanasugarn. Top seed Ksenia Pervak plays tomorrow.

(Photo Credit: Baku website)

Tweets of the Week: Gotta Love Ernie, Serena Ha...

Serena Williams Qualifies for WTA Year-End Even...

10 Things: Andrea Hlavackova

Petkovic Returns with a Win in New Haven

Wozniak Advances in Montreal with Win over Hant...

Cohen and Jovanovski Aim For First WTA Title in...

Cohen, Jovanovski Endure Long Day to Reach Baku...

Top Seed Pervak Retires in Upset-Filled Day at ...

Minella Avoids Early Round Upset in Baku

Defending Champion Goerges Leads German Women i...