2015 Family Circle Cup: Sam Stosur Beats Sesil Karatancheva In Opener, Casey Dellacqua Suffers First-Round Loss To Belinda Bencic

Sam Stosur - 2010 Family Circle Cup Champion — IN PHOTO: Samantha Stosur of Australia holds her trophy after winning the singles final at the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, April 18, 2010. Stosur defeated Vera Zvonareva of Russia. REUTERS/Tami Chappell REUTERS/Tami Chappell

Australian Sam Stosur has advanced in the second round of the 2015 Family Circle Cup. The ninth-seeded Stosur has defeated Bulgaria’s Sesil Karatancheva in straight sets, 6-2 6-4, in her opening match at Family Circle Tennis Centre in Charleston.

Stosur is making her ninth appearance at the Family Circle Cup. The 2010 champion is hoping to get better results in Charleston than last year, where she was upset in the third round by Lucie Safarova.

Stosur will face 83rd-ranked Lara Arruabarrena of Spain in the second round. It will be the first meeting for both players. Stosur last played in the third round of the 2015 Miami Open, while Arruabarrena last competed in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The winner of the match between Stosur and Arruabarrena will play against Angelique Kerber, who has advanced in the third round after beating Evgeniya Rodina 3-6 6-3 6-4, in the next round.

Meanwhile, Stosur’s compatriot Casey Dellacqua has failed to advance at the Family Circle Cup. Dellacqua suffered straight sets first round loss to up-and-coming Swiss Belinda Bencic, 6-1 6-2.

The 2015 Family Circle Cup kicked off on April 6. This year marks the 43rd edition of the women’s tennis premier tournament, which will end on April 12. Past champions include tennis stars such as Serena Williams (2008, 2012-2013), Caroline Wozniacki (2011), Steffi Graf (1986-1987, 1989, 1993), Martina Navratilova (1982-1983, 1988, 1990) and Chris Evert (1974-1978, 1981, 1984-1985).

First Round Results

Andreea Mitu def. Varvara Lepchenko 6-2 2-1 (Won by retirement)

Jana Cepelova def. beat Elena Vesnina 6-2 6-7(5) 7-6(4)

Sloane Stephens def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6 6-3 6-2

Belinda Bencic def. Casey Dellacqua 6-1 6-2

Lara Arruabarrena Vecino def. Cagla Bueyuekakcay 6-2 6-2

Madison Brengle def. Edina Gallovits-Hall 6-7(2) 6-4 6-2

9-Samantha Stosur def. Sesil Karatantcheva 6-2 6-4

Sara Sorribes def. 14-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 3-0 (Won by retirement)

Second Round Results

Lucie Hradecka def. Kristina Kucova 7-5 6-3

Caroline Garcia def. Sachia Vickery 6-3 4-6 6-3