South Africa's top-ranked women's player, Isabella Kruger, made light work of fellow countrywoman Claire Jaramba in straight sets in the first round of the Ilana Kloss International, the ITF $25,000 prize-money tournament, which began on Tuesday at TuksTennis, University of Pretoria.
Kruger, ranked 353rd on the WTA world rankings, defeated the wild card entrant 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the second round.
Kruger's composure was crucial throughout the match, which she won in just 45 minutes.
"I'm pleased with my victory today," Kruger said.
"I believe that the first match is always crucial, and I started strong and kept my composure, so I'm very happy about that."
"Today's match was really nice, and I think I focused on the important points quite well, so yeah, I'm really happy to get the win, and tomorrow I'm either playing Lina or Naledi, so I'll be watching and preparing as best I can for my next match."
In the second round, Kruger will face the winner of the match between South African wild card Naledi Manyube and fourth-seeded Isrieli Lina Glushko, who has a WTA ranking of 245.
Suzanie Pretorius was another South African who caught the eye. The 2021 Growthpoint Junior Masters champion fought hard in the first round against Switzerland's fifth-seeded Lulu Sun but fell short.
The 18-year-old was defeated 6-4, 7-6(4), but she proved that she belongs among the best and is capable of competing at these levels.
In other action, second-seeded Japanese Mai Hontama needed three sets to beat Belgian qualifier Clara Vlasselaer in the first round. Hontama, ranked 198 in the WTA world rankings, won a two-hour and 26-minute show court battle 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Hontama will then face either Manon Loenard of France or Easwaramurthi Ashmitha of India in the next round.
DAY 1 RESULTS
[2] Mai Hontama (JPN) bt Clara Vlasselaer (BEL) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
[5] Lulu Sun (SUI) bt Suzanie Pretorius (RSA) 6-4, 7-6(4)
[6] Alice Robbe (FRA) bt Lucie Nguyen Tan (FRA) 7-5, 6-1
[7] Berfu Cengiz (TUR) bt Divine Dasam Nweke (NGR) 6-0, 6-0
[8] Emina Bektas (USA) bt Kira Pavlova (RUS) 6-2, 6-1
Isabella Kruger (RSA) bt Claire Jaramba (RSA) 6-0, 6-0
Georgina Garcia-Perez (ESP) bt Ashley Lahey (USA) 7-6(6), 6-3
Updated draw and order of play: