Pigossi debuts with a victory and guarantees Brazil a place in the second round of the WTA in Florianópolis

Laura Pigossi, Brazil's No. 2 and 204th in the world, got off to a flying start at the ENGIE Open presented by MundoTênis Tours, the WTA 125 in Florianópolis. The São Paulo native defeated Chilean Fernanda Labrana 6-1, 6-1, securing Brazil's first victory in the competition, which is being played at the Super 9 Tennis Park in Jurerê Internacional.

"The first match is always a little more difficult, even more so with the sudden change of opponent. The conditions were windy, so I tried to focus on myself and my game. I've been playing well, confident, and I'm very happy to advance," said Pigossi, last year's doubles champion. Laura's opponent entered as a lucky loser, replacing Croatian Tara Wuerth, who felt shoulder pain and withdrew from the competition.

Excited to play at home, Laura celebrated her return: "Playing in Brazil is very special. Florianópolis brings back great memories and I want to get to the end this week."

In the round of 16, Pigossi will face the winner of the duel between Egypt's Mayar Sherif, third favorite, and France's Alice Rame, runner-up at the Rio Ladies Open.

Five other Brazilians also made their debuts on Tuesday, but failed to advance to the round of 16. A highlight was young Nauhany Silva, known as Naná, who played a strong match against the tournament's fifth seed, Austrian Julia Grabher, but ended up losing 5-7 6-1 7-6.

"I'm happy to have advanced to the second round. It was very difficult, my opponent played very well, with nothing to lose. I had a lot of difficulties, but in the end I kept my cool in the tiebreak and that was very important. She played very well today. If she maintains this level, she will have a bright future," said Grabher about Naná.

Results for this Tuesday (21):

[6] Leyre Romero Gormaz (ESP) d. [Q] Julia Konishi Camargo Silva (BRA) - 6/1 6/1

[1] Solana Sierra (ARG) d. Carolina Meligeni Alves (BRA) - 7/6 6/0

[2] Simona Waltert (SUI) d. Gabriela Cé (BRA) - 6/2 6/4

Laura Pigossi (BRA) d. Fernanda Labrana (CHI) - 6/1 6/1

[5] Julia Grabher (AUT) d. [WC] Nauhany V. Leme Da Silva (BRA) - 5/7 6/1 7/6

[4] Pana Udvardy (HUN) d. Tina Smith (AUS) - 6/2 6/4

Carole Monnet (FRA) d. Nicole Fossa Huergo (ITA) - 4/6 6/3 6/0

Sada Nahimana (BDI) d. Sofia Da Cruz Mendonca (BRA) - 6/3 6/3

Julia Riera (ARG) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) - 6/7 6/4 6/2

[Q] Anastasia Zolotareva d. Eva Vedder (NED) - 7/6 6/2

Ekaterine Gorgodze (GEO) d. Miriana Tona (ITA) - 6/3 6/1

[8] Oleksandra Oliynykova (UKR) d. Luisina Giovannini (ARG) - 6/2 6/0

Irene Burillo (ESP) d. [Q] Marbella Zamarripa (USA) - 6/1 7/5

Schedule for this Wednesday (22):

Central court

3pm

[Q] Victoria Bosio (ARG) vs [4] Pana Udvardy (HUN)

Next

[1] Solana Sierra (ARG) vs Carol Monnet (FRA)

Alice Rame (FRA) / Tina Smith (AUS) vs Ana Candiotto (BRA) / Nauhany V. Leme Da Silva (BRA)

Not before 7pm

Sofia Da Cruz Mendonca (BRA) / Luiza Fullana (BRA) vs Carolina Alves (BRA) / Julia Riera (ARG)

Block 1

2pm

[Q] Anastasia Zolotareva vs [7] Sinja Kraus (AUT)

Next

[8] Oleksandra Oliynykova (UKR) vs Julia Riera (ARG)

Not before 5pm

Andrea Gamiz (VEN) / Eva Vedder (NED) vs [3] Mayar Sherif (EGY) / Pana Udvardy (HUN)

Next

Fernanda Labrana (CHI) / Rebeca Pereira (BRA) vs [5] Carole Monnet (FRA) / Sada Nahimana (BDI)

Block 2

1:00 PM

Ekaterina Gorgodze (GEO) vs [6] Leyre Romero Gormaz (ESP)

Next

Allura Zamarripa (USA) / Marbella Zamarripa (USA) vs Miriana Tona (ITA) / Noelia Zeballos (BOL)

Next

[4] Irene Burillo (ESP) / Ekaterina Gorgodze (GEO) vs Leticia G. Vidal (BRA) / Julia Konishi Camargo Silva (BRA)

Tickets on sale

Tickets for the ENGIE Open presented by MundoTênis Tours, the WTA Florianópolis, are still on sale at www.wtaflorianopolis.com, with prices ranging from R$20 for qualifying and from R$45 for the main draw.

The ENGIE Open presented by MundoTênis Tours is master-sponsored by ENGIE Brasil, BRB, and Hospital Baía Sul. Organized by: MundoTênis Tours. Co-organized by: Brazilian Tennis Confederation.