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2020 Palermo

Palermo 2020: Story of the tournament

From Italian home success to a slate of second-round comebacks, the best images from the 31st Palermo Ladies Open as the WTA Tour gets back underway.

Tennis's new normal got under way with No.1 seed Petra Martic taking part in a virtual All Access Hour.
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Tennis's new normal got under way with No.1 seed Petra Martic taking part in a virtual All Access Hour.

Jimmie48/WTA

Ahead of the tournament's start, No.3 seed Maria Sakkari sweeps her own court during practice.
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Ahead of the tournament's start, No.3 seed Maria Sakkari sweeps her own court during practice.

Jimmie48/WTA

Kirsten Flipkens takes a mandatory temperature check before practice in line with the WTA Tour's COVID-19 protocol as compatriot Alison Van Uytvanck looks on.
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Kirsten Flipkens takes a mandatory temperature check before practice in line with the WTA Tour's COVID-19 protocol as compatriot Alison Van Uytvanck looks on.

Jimmie48/WTA

Former US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer roared back from a first-set whitewash, overcoming Barbara Haas 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of qualifying.
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Former US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer roared back from a first-set whitewash, overcoming Barbara Haas 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of qualifying.

Jimmie48/WTA

18-year-old Marta Kostyuk got off to a strong start, dispatching Daniela Seguel in straight sets to kick off her qualifying campaign.
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18-year-old Marta Kostyuk got off to a strong start, dispatching Daniela Seguel in straight sets to kick off her qualifying campaign.

Jimmie48/WTA

Ysaline Bonaventure pulled off the greatest escape of the qualifying rounds, saving three match points before moving past Indy De Vroome 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-2 in the first round.
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Ysaline Bonaventure pulled off the greatest escape of the qualifying rounds, saving three match points before moving past Indy De Vroome 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-2 in the first round.

Jimmie48/WTA

Italy's Martina Trevisan pulled off an upset on home soil, routing No.1 qualifying seed Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0 in the second preliminary round.
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Italy's Martina Trevisan pulled off an upset on home soil, routing No.1 qualifying seed Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0 in the second preliminary round.

Palermo Ladies Open

No.2 qualifying seed Aliona Bolsova needed to come from a set down to quell 17-year-old wildcard Melania Delai in the first round of qualifying, and found herself in trouble against Laura Ioana Paar in the second round.
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No.2 qualifying seed Aliona Bolsova needed to come from a set down to quell 17-year-old wildcard Melania Delai in the first round of qualifying, and found herself in trouble against Laura Ioana Paar in the second round.

Jimmie48/WTA

Laura Ioana Paar came from a set and a break down to overhaul Aliona Bolsova in a second-round qualifying marathon 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
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Laura Ioana Paar came from a set and a break down to overhaul Aliona Bolsova in a second-round qualifying marathon 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Jimmie48/WTA

Marta Kostyuk protests a call during her late-night second-round qualifying loss to Liudmila Samsonova.
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Marta Kostyuk protests a call during her late-night second-round qualifying loss to Liudmila Samsonova.

Jimmie48/WTA

Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, who grew up in Italy and reached her first WTA semifinal in Palermo last year, qualified for the main draw via a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Marta Kostyuk and 6-2, 7-6(9) win over Laura Ioana Paar.
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Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, who grew up in Italy and reached her first WTA semifinal in Palermo last year, qualified for the main draw via a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Marta Kostyuk and 6-2, 7-6(9) win over Laura Ioana Paar.

Jimmie48/WTA

Donna Vekic was the first main draw winner as the WTA Tour returned. The No.6 seed took 77 minutes to overcome Arantxa Rus, 6-1, 6-2.
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Donna Vekic was the first main draw winner as the WTA Tour returned. The No.6 seed took 77 minutes to overcome Arantxa Rus, 6-1, 6-2.

Jimmie48/WTA

Arantxa Rus congratulates Donna Vekic with a racquet tap at the net instead of a handshake, set to become a familiar sight in the weeks ahead.
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Arantxa Rus congratulates Donna Vekic with a racquet tap at the net instead of a handshake, set to become a familiar sight in the weeks ahead.

Jimmie48/WTA

Fast-rising Italian 19-year-old wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year, captured her first WTA main draw win on home soil with a 7-6(1), 6-3 defeat of Polona Hercog.
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Fast-rising Italian 19-year-old wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year, captured her first WTA main draw win on home soil with a 7-6(1), 6-3 defeat of Polona Hercog.

Palermo Ladies Open

Former World No.30 Aliaksandra Sasnovich did not drop a set throughout qualifying, edging Lara Arruabarrena 7-5, 7-6(2) in the final round.
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Former World No.30 Aliaksandra Sasnovich did not drop a set throughout qualifying, edging Lara Arruabarrena 7-5, 7-6(2) in the final round.

Jimmie48/WTA

Kaja Juvan displayed clutch battling qualities to navigate through qualifying, coming from a set down against Magdalena Frech and Elena-Gabriela Ruse before saving three set points en route to a 7-6(8), 6-1 final-round defeat of Martina Trevisan.
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Kaja Juvan displayed clutch battling qualities to navigate through qualifying, coming from a set down against Magdalena Frech and Elena-Gabriela Ruse before saving three set points en route to a 7-6(8), 6-1 final-round defeat of Martina Trevisan.

Jimmie48/WTA

Shenzhen champion Ekaterina Alexandrova lost the first set to Kristina Mladenovic before the No.8 seed fought back to progress, 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
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Shenzhen champion Ekaterina Alexandrova lost the first set to Kristina Mladenovic before the No.8 seed fought back to progress, 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.

Jimmie48/WTA

Adelaide runner-up and No.7 seed Dayana Yastremska regained focus to overturn a 0-4 second-set deficit against Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round, eventually coming through 6-3, 6-4.
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Adelaide runner-up and No.7 seed Dayana Yastremska regained focus to overturn a 0-4 second-set deficit against Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round, eventually coming through 6-3, 6-4.

Jimmie48/WTA

Home favorite and two-time former Palermo champion Sara Errani took nearly three hours to overcome Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 in the first classic contest of the resumption.
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Home favorite and two-time former Palermo champion Sara Errani took nearly three hours to overcome Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 in the first classic contest of the resumption.

Jimmie48/WTA

Following Sara Errani's epic, Jasmine Paolini posted a second straight inspired Italian battle on Centre Court on Day 1, surviving 16 deuce games and 21 breaks of serve to upset Daria Kasatkina 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
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Following Sara Errani's epic, Jasmine Paolini posted a second straight inspired Italian battle on Centre Court on Day 1, surviving 16 deuce games and 21 breaks of serve to upset Daria Kasatkina 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Jimmie48/WTA

Jasmine Paolini celebrates her three-hour, nine-minute late-night win over Daria Kasatkina - her second victory in four meetings over the Russian, and the second-longest match of 2020 so far.
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Jasmine Paolini celebrates her three-hour, nine-minute late-night win over Daria Kasatkina - her second victory in four meetings over the Russian, and the second-longest match of 2020 so far.

Jimmie48/WTA

Kristyna Pliskova was the architect of the biggest upset of the day as she claimed a 6-4, 6-4, win over No.3 seed Maria Sakkari.
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Kristyna Pliskova was the architect of the biggest upset of the day as she claimed a 6-4, 6-4, win over No.3 seed Maria Sakkari.

Jimmie48/WTA

Kristyna Pliskova and Maria Sakkari tapped racquets after 1am local time to signal the end of Monday’s play.
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Kristyna Pliskova and Maria Sakkari tapped racquets after 1am local time to signal the end of Monday’s play.

Jimmie48/WTA

Resurgent Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin, a quarterfinalist in St. Petersburg and Lyon before the Tour pause, fell to Nadia Podoroska in the final qualifying round - but, entering the main draw as a lucky loser, upset Tamara Zidansek 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in round one.
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Resurgent Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin, a quarterfinalist in St. Petersburg and Lyon before the Tour pause, fell to Nadia Podoroska in the final qualifying round - but, entering the main draw as a lucky loser, upset Tamara Zidansek 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in round one.

Jimmie48/WTA

Roland Garros finalist and No.2 seed Marketa Vondrousova got off to a fine start against qualifier Kaja Juvan in the first round, dictating the first set with heavy topspin forehands and perfect dropshots.
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Roland Garros finalist and No.2 seed Marketa Vondrousova got off to a fine start against qualifier Kaja Juvan in the first round, dictating the first set with heavy topspin forehands and perfect dropshots.

Jimmie48/WTA

However, Juvan's battling qualities and tactical adjustments have been key to the Slovenian's success this week, and the 19-year-old fought back for her first Top 20 win 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 over Vondrousova.
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However, Juvan's battling qualities and tactical adjustments have been key to the Slovenian's success this week, and the 19-year-old fought back for her first Top 20 win 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 over Vondrousova.

Jimmie48/WTA

Aliaksandra Sasnovich continued the pattern of qualifiers' success against seeds, extending her head-to-head lead over No.5 seed Elise Mertens to 3-1 with a 6-4, 6-1 first-round win.
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Aliaksandra Sasnovich continued the pattern of qualifiers' success against seeds, extending her head-to-head lead over No.5 seed Elise Mertens to 3-1 with a 6-4, 6-1 first-round win.

Jimmie48/WTA

Top seed Petra Martic showed few signs of rust as she opened her campaign with an impressive 6-0, 6-3 victory over former Roland Garros quarterfinalist Alison Van Uytvanck.
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Top seed Petra Martic showed few signs of rust as she opened her campaign with an impressive 6-0, 6-3 victory over former Roland Garros quarterfinalist Alison Van Uytvanck.

Palermo Ladies Open

Camila Giorgi made it four Italian wins out of four in the first round, powering past Rebecca Peterson in straight sets.
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Camila Giorgi made it four Italian wins out of four in the first round, powering past Rebecca Peterson in straight sets.

Palermo Ladies Open

No.4 seed Anett Kontaveit restored order after Day 2's series of upsets in the final match on the schedule, erasing a 0-3 second-set deficit to move past Hua Hin semifinalist Patricia Maria Tig 6-3, 6-3.
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No.4 seed Anett Kontaveit restored order after Day 2's series of upsets in the final match on the schedule, erasing a 0-3 second-set deficit to move past Hua Hin semifinalist Patricia Maria Tig 6-3, 6-3.

Jimmie48/WTA

Fiona Ferro, who won her maiden title just over a year ago in Lausanne, reached her second straight Palermo quarterfinal with a 7-5, 6-2 upset of No.8 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
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Fiona Ferro, who won her maiden title just over a year ago in Lausanne, reached her second straight Palermo quarterfinal with a 7-5, 6-2 upset of No.8 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Palermo Ladies Open

WTA power couple Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen celebrate their doubles quarterfinal upset of No.3 seeds Laura Siegemund and Yanina Wickmayer with a hug.
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WTA power couple Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen celebrate their doubles quarterfinal upset of No.3 seeds Laura Siegemund and Yanina Wickmayer with a hug.

Jimmie48/WTA

Jasmine Paolini winds up for a forehand during her second-round clash with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
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Jasmine Paolini winds up for a forehand during her second-round clash with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Palermo Ladies Open

Aliaksandra Sasnovich conceded just two games to Jasmine Paolini to reach her first main tour quarterfinal since Sydney 2019.
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Aliaksandra Sasnovich conceded just two games to Jasmine Paolini to reach her first main tour quarterfinal since Sydney 2019.

Jimmie48/WTA

Former World No.5 Sara Errani lost the first 13 points of her second-round contest against Kristyna Pliskova, but mounted a comeback to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach her first quarterfinal since Bogota last year.
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Former World No.5 Sara Errani lost the first 13 points of her second-round contest against Kristyna Pliskova, but mounted a comeback to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach her first quarterfinal since Bogota last year.

Jimmie48/WTA

Teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto continued to thrive on home soil, backing up her maiden WTA main draw win with her first Top 30 victory in the second round, upsetting No.6 seed Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-4.
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Teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto continued to thrive on home soil, backing up her maiden WTA main draw win with her first Top 30 victory in the second round, upsetting No.6 seed Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-4.

Jimmie48/WTA

Liudmila Samsonova's powerful striking enabled the Russian qualifier to take a set lead over top seed Petra Martic in the second round.
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Liudmila Samsonova's powerful striking enabled the Russian qualifier to take a set lead over top seed Petra Martic in the second round.

Palermo Ladies Open

However, Martic rebounded in style to quell Samsonova's surge 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 and move into her second quarterfinal of the year.
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However, Martic rebounded in style to quell Samsonova's surge 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 and move into her second quarterfinal of the year.

Palermo Ladies Open

Anett Kontaveit, fresh off leading Estonia to victory over Latvia in the Merko Cup exhibition event, also needed to recover from a set down before overcoming Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
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Anett Kontaveit, fresh off leading Estonia to victory over Latvia in the Merko Cup exhibition event, also needed to recover from a set down before overcoming Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.

Palermo Ladies Open

Continuing Thursday's pattern, Camila Giorgi also came from a set down to beat Kaja Juvan, joining compatriots Sara Errani and Elisabetta Cocciaretto to make it three Italians in a WTA quarterfinal lineup for the first time since Hobart 2015.
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Continuing Thursday's pattern, Camila Giorgi also came from a set down to beat Kaja Juvan, joining compatriots Sara Errani and Elisabetta Cocciaretto to make it three Italians in a WTA quarterfinal lineup for the first time since Hobart 2015.

Jimmie48/WTA

Dayana Yastremska posted the only straight-sets win of Thursday over Oceane Dodin, finishing her 6-2, 6-4 victory after 1am to seal her second quarterfinal place of the year.
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Dayana Yastremska posted the only straight-sets win of Thursday over Oceane Dodin, finishing her 6-2, 6-4 victory after 1am to seal her second quarterfinal place of the year.

Jimmie48/WTA

Petra Martic on the stretch in her quarterfinal encounter with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
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Petra Martic on the stretch in her quarterfinal encounter with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Jimmie48/WTA

Sasnovich fashioned six break points in the opening set but was only able to covert one and lost out on a tiebreak to the top seed.
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Sasnovich fashioned six break points in the opening set but was only able to covert one and lost out on a tiebreak to the top seed.

Jimmie48/WTA

The second set was equally tight, but again it was Martic who prevailed to reach the final four.
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The second set was equally tight, but again it was Martic who prevailed to reach the final four.

Jimmie48/WTA

Anett Kontaveit secured a place in the semifinal against Martic after she overcame Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
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Anett Kontaveit secured a place in the semifinal against Martic after she overcame Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
Fiona Ferro's fine Palermo run continued as she ousted home favorite Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the semis.
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Fiona Ferro's fine Palermo run continued as she ousted home favorite Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the semis.

Jimmie48/WTA

Errani lost out in 90 minutes as Ferro dominated her service games.
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Errani lost out in 90 minutes as Ferro dominated her service games.

Jimmie48/WTA

Petra Martic suffered a shock at the hands of Anett Kontaveit.
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Petra Martic suffered a shock at the hands of Anett Kontaveit.

Tournament

The Estonian beat her 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal.
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The Estonian beat her 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal.

Tournament

Kontaveit set up a clash with Fiona Ferro in the final.
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Kontaveit set up a clash with Fiona Ferro in the final.

Tournament

The Frenchwoman reached her second career WTA final by beating home favorite Camila Giorgi 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.
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The Frenchwoman reached her second career WTA final by beating home favorite Camila Giorgi 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Tournament

Anett Kontaveit sends down a serve in the final against Fiona Ferro.
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Anett Kontaveit sends down a serve in the final against Fiona Ferro.

Getty Images

Ferro would triumph 6-2, 7-5 in 105 minutes, twice fighting back from a break down in the second set to take the win.
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Ferro would triumph 6-2, 7-5 in 105 minutes, twice fighting back from a break down in the second set to take the win.

Getty Images

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