Samantha Stosur and fellow former champion Caroline Wozniacki have overpowered their unseeded opponents to reach the third round of the WTA Tour’s Family Circle Cup in Charleston.
Third-seeded Stosur routed New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic 6-1 6-2 on the green clay at Daniel Island Tennis Centre, while the second-seeded Wozniacki breezed past Spaniard Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-1 6-1 in just under an hour.
Stosur, who won the title in 2010, next meets Canadian qualifier Eugenie Bouchard, a surprise 6-4 3-6 6-1 winner over British 16th seed Laura Robson.
Wozniacki, the 2011 champion, only entered the tournament on the weekend after she and golfer boyfriend Rory McIlroy postponed a trip to Haiti.
“I felt like I really served well and returned well today,” Wozniacki said. “I’m pleased with that.”
Meanwhile, American qualifier Mallory Burdette surprised 15th-seeded 2009 champion Sabine Lisicki 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 in their second round match.
Burdette advances to the third round where she will face world No.1 and reigning Charleston champ Serena Williams.
German 10th seed Julia Goerges of Germany held off Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-2 0-6 6-3.
American Madison Keys eased into the round of 16 with a 6-4 6-3 victory over qualifier compatriot Grace Min.
Keys will battle wildcard Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Thursday.