Kerkhove finally wins a WTA Tour first-round match

Full concentration: Lesley Kerkhove of Holland getting ready to serve to Elise Mertens of Belgium in the first round of the Malaysian Open yesterday. Kerkhove won 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). — M. AZHAR ARIF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Holland’s Lesley Kerkhove finally pulled off her first-ever opening round win on the WTA Tour.

And the 25-year-old, who turned professional in 2009, did it in style as she overcame seventh seed Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) at the ALYA WTA Malaysian Open.