DOHA, Qatar - Top seed CiCi Bellis and No.2 seed Naomi Osaka were among the players who booked spots in the main draw of the Qatar Total Open on Sunday, as each did not drop a set in their final round qualifying matches.
World No.48 Bellis converted on seven of the 11 break points she earned in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over fellow 18-year-old Sofya Zhuk, dispatching the 2015 junior Wimbledon champion in just 55 minutes, while Osaka also dropped just four games in a 6-3, 6-1 win over No.16 seed Danka Kovinic.
No.3 seed Marketa Vondrousova and unseeded Anna Blinkova ensured that two more teenagers would join Bellis in the main draw out of qualifying later in the day.
The Czech surrendered just three games to Kristina Kucova in a 6-2, 6-1 victory, while Blinkova advanced when Ekaterina Alexandrova retired with her younger compatriot leading, 6-2, 4-2.
Q-t’s 💕 pic.twitter.com/eCVqFaJLRh
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) February 11, 2018
American Bernarda Pera continued the strong form which saw her upset Johanna Konta and reach the third round of the Australian Open as a lucky loser, as she dropped just three games to reach the main draw at the expense of fellow American Christina McHale, 6-3, 6-0.
In addition to youth, experience also reigned on the afternoon as Kateryna Bondarenko, Duan Ying-ying and Monica Niculescu rounded out the qualifiers.
Duan's victory was the most dramatic of the day, as she edged 2011 champion and former World No.2 Vera Zvonareva - who was returning to Doha for the first time in six year - in nearly three hours, 7-6(7), 6-7(5), 6-3.
No.6 seed Bondarenkoa defeated No.13 seed Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-4, 6-3, while No.8 seed Niculescu edged a tight opener and then rolled past No.12 seed Andrea Petkovic, 6-4, 6-1.
Five of the qualifiers will be back on court on Monday, led by Niculescu, who will take on wildcard Maria Sharapova in the fourth match on Centre Court.
Bellis will face Daria Kasatkina and Blinkova will face compatriot Elena Vesnina prior to that match, while Osaka will close out the day's play on the main court against Katerina Siniakova.
Duan will open play on Court 1 against wildcard Ons Jabeur.