WTA Tashkent Open: Magdalena Rybarikova vs. Victoria Larriere

Magdalena Rybarikova will be up against Victoria Larriere on Wednesday in the second round of the Tashkent Open.

Magdalena Rybarikova hadn’t won a competitive matchup since June heading into this year’s Tashkent Open, but she made a safe start here, beating Nigina Abduraimova in three sets (6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3. Rybarikova was expected to get past the teenager with greater ease, but she’ll be pleased to have gotten through to round two.

Rybarikova’s next challenge will be a second round contest against Victoria Larriere of France. Larriere made a woeful start to the season, but she’s been a major force at ITF level ever since she started winning matches in April. She won her fourth ITF title of the year at the end of last month.

Rybarikova will be considered the favourite here, but the outcome of this match could be heavily influenced by recent form. Larriere should be competitive on Wednesday, and she might be able to cause an upset. On the other hand, if Rybarikova plays like she did when she won the WTA Memphis title in February, then she’ll earn a berth in the last eight.