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Birmingham - Former US Open champion Sam Stosur has achieved the foothold she needed in her first match since falling within sight of a notable victory against Maria Sharapova at the French Open last week.
Stosur, who is seeded to reach the final of the Aegon Classic this week, won her opener 6-1, 6-3 against Christina McHale of the United States, moving well on the lush grass and looking buoyant despite her Paris disappointment.
The Australian quelled an American fightback, which carried McHale to within a point of 4-all in the second set, by delivering three good first serves just at the most risky moments.
Results from the third day of the WTA Birmingham tournament on Wednesday (x denotes seeding):
Second round
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) bt Johanna Konta (GBR) 6-4, 6-2
Sloane Stephens (USA x3) bt Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-2, 6-4
Alison Riske (USA x15) bt Nadiya Kichenok (UKR) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) bt Lucie Safarova (CZE x5) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Tmea Babos (HUN) bt Madison Keys (USA x11) 6-2, 6-1
Samantha Stosur (AUS x2) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-1, 6-3
Zhang Shuai (CHN x9) bt Shahar Peer (ISR) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) bt Mnica Puig (PUR x12) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7)
Klara Koukalova (CZE x6) bt Virginie Razzano (FRA) 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/0)
Petra Cetkovsk (CZE) bt Magdalna Rybrikov (SVK x8) 6-4, 7-5
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL x4) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA) 6-3, 6-2
Casey Dellacqua (AUS x16) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-4, 6-3
