Vidmanova edges Birrell in straight sets at Monterrey

Darja Vidmanova came through a tight opening set and then pulled clear, beating Kimberly Birrell 7-6, 6-3 in the Monterrey round of 32. The difference lay almost entirely behind the second serve: the Czech won 53.6 percent of those points, while Birrell managed just 34.4 percent and coughed up ten double faults to Vidmanova's one. Both players landed a nearly identical share of first serves, 56.9 percent to 57.9, and struck three aces apiece, but Vidmanova was the steadier of the two when the rallies started. It was a composed hard-court win that moved her into the next round.