WASHINGTON (AP) — Top-seeded Angelique Kerber cruised past Irina Falconi 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Citi Open on Tuesday.
With No. 15-ranked Sloane Stephens’ loss Monday, No. 9-ranked Kerber is 17 spots higher than any player remaining in the tournament. The German will face the winner of Melanie Oudin and Anastasia Rodionova in the next round.
Kerber was granted a wild card into the Citi Open, and Falconi was a qualifier.
Wild card Taylor Townsed lost to Monica Niculescu 6-3, 6-0. Last year, Townsed became the first American girl to finish first in the year-end world junior rankings.
