Timofeeva overpowers Zhang 6-1 6-3 in Monterrey first round

Maria Timofeeva needed only two efficient sets to see off Shuai Zhang 6-1 6-3 in the Monterrey round of 32, taking control early and never letting the match drift. Her first delivery landed just 43.4 percent of the time, but it was close to untouchable when it did, bringing 82.6 percent of those points along with four aces, enough to cover five double faults and a modest 46.7 percent behind the second ball. Zhang found the court far more often, at 74.1 percent, yet won only 47.5 percent of those points and 35.7 percent on her second serve, with no aces to relieve the pressure. For Timofeeva it was a clean, confidence-building start to the tournament.