Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in action during her first round match against Croatia’s Donna Vekic at the WTA Premier Nature Valley Classic in Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, Britain, June 19, 2019. — Action Images via Reuters
In the first meeting of the Pliskova twins since 2012, it was 112-ranked Kristyna who edged a three-set thriller 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 . Barty suffered no such shocks as she saw off a bright start from Croatia's Donna Vekic in her first match since lifting a first Grand Slam title to win 6-3, 6-4. “I felt really good with my feet on the grass. We haven't had a hell of a lot of grass court time because of the weather but in a sense that made it even better because it was fresh, it was new.The Australian shot to number two in the world rankings by winning in Paris earlier this month and could even end the week as number one if she outperforms Naomi Osaka in England's Midlands.“I don't feel any different myself,” she added.