Tournament number one Svitolinová originally refused to enter the match until tennis, like other sports federations, agreed to sanctions against Russian and Belarusian players.
The 27-year-old Ukrainian woman eventually changed her mind, although the WTA repeatedly refused to exclude Russians and Belarusians from the tournaments and only banned them from playing under national flags.
“Today was a very special match for me. I’m very sad, but I’m glad I’m playing,” Svitolin told reporters. “My task is to unite the tennis community to stand behind Ukraine, because what is happening there is terrible,” she added.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why I play for my country and I do everything I can to use my position and opportunities to persuade people to support Ukraine,” Svitolinova said.
The two-time Grand Slam semifinalist and former third world player has also decided to support the Ukrainian army. “I will send her all my tournament prizes,” said Svitolin, who won the tournament in Monterrey the year before last.
| MONTERREY (hard surface, $ 276,750 grant): |
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| Singles – Round 1: |
| Svitolinova (1-UKR) – Potapovova (RUS) 6: 2, 6: 1 |
| Marticova (HRV) – Keysova (3-USA) 5: 7, 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 3 |
| Parrizasova (6-Sp.) – Doiova (JPN) 6: 2, 6: 1 |
| Sin-yu Wang (CHN) – Li (8-USA) 6: 2, 6: 1 |
| LYON (hard surface, $ 239,477 grant): |
|---|
| Singles – Round 1: |
| Golubicova (3-Swiss) – Hontama (JPN) 1: 6, 6: 4, 6: 4 |
| Djatchenkova (RUS) – Friedsamova (DEU) 6: 3, 2: 6, 6: 4 |
| Round 2: |
| Bondárová (HUN) – Boulterová (Brit.) 6: 3 ret. |
