CiCi Bellis won her first match at the WTA Tour level this season, defeating sixth seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Bank Of The West Classic.
Bellis storms back from 4-2 down to win the last four games and take first set
The match got off to a tame start as both players held twice to begin. Ostapenko got the first break to take a 3-2 lead and backed it up with a hold for a 4-2 lead. That would be her last lead of the set as Bellis reeled off the final four games. She won eight of the next nine points to level the set at 4-4. After holding to 30, Bellis took advantage of Ostapenko's average serve and broke the Latvian again, this time to 15, this break giving the American the set 6-4 in a come from behind effort, a first win on tour this season now within her sights.
Bellis comes from behind again, reels off final five games to seal the victory
As in the first set, Ostapenko got out to a quick lead, breaking Bellis immediately on her way to a 2-0 lead. She was able to continue to pile the pressure on the American by getting a second break for a 4-1 lead. Bellis was having no luck in penetrating the Doha finalist's serve, but she suddenly rediscovered her form that won her the opening set and broke to get within 4-2. Still down a break, Bellis went about rectifying that and she broke the Latvian again to level the set at 4-4. Now unable to do much of anything on Bellis' serve, Ostapenko was feeling the heat and now serving to stay in the match, she gamely fought, saving a match point, but was unable to save the second, Bellis, as she did in the first set, winning the second set 6-4, leaving Ostapenko to wonder what might have been.
Bellis injured, but moving on
Injured in doubles on Monday, Bellis admitted she considered pulling out of the tournament before the match took place. "I didn't even know if I was going to play tonight because yesterday I got hit with an overhead in the eye. I was crying so hard and wasn't even able to see. So to even come out today meant so much to me." In the second round, Bellis will face a fellow American in Sachia Vickery. Vickery played the final match of the night, defeating Bulgarian Elitsa Kostova 6-2, 6-1. This is the second meeting of the year between Bellis and Vickery with the first in an ITF event in Stockton, Bellis emerging a 6-4, 6-0 winner.