Kerber avoids upset in Stockholm

Bastad - Top-seeded Angelique Kerber dropped a set before beating local wildcard Cornelia Lister 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the Stockholm Open second round on Wednesday.

The second-ranked German, who lost to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final earlier this month, struggled to adjust to the change of surface on the clay in Bastad.

"It was difficult, because this was my first match after grass on clay again," said Kerber, who was returning to Bastad for the first time in five years.

Also, second-seeded Sara Errani of Italy defeated Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 and Karin Knapp of Italy beat 2014 champion Mona Barthel of Germany 6-0, 7-5.

Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova ousted fifth-seeded Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.