First round VCO tourney starts today, catch the action on the Tennis Channel
First round action at the Volvo Car Open started today. Although you can’t watch the competition in the stands, the Tennis Channel has live coverage all week beginning today at 10 a.m. There are two night matches scheduled featuring young American players. At 7 pm, Elena Rybakina of Kasakstan plays American Caty McNally, followed an all American match between Lauren Davis and Madison Brengle.
The top eight seeds have first round byes and will take to the courts on Wednesday. No. 4 seed Kiki Bertens withdraw from the tournament yesterday due to a leg injury. As a result, No. 9 seed Marketa Vondrousova will take her spot and will also receive a first round bye. The other top seeds include: Top seed Ash Barty, second seed Sofia Kenin, third seed Petra Kvitova, fifth seed Belinda Bencic, sixth seed Garbine Muguruza, seventh seed Elise Mertens ,and defending 2019 VCO champion Madison Keys as the eighth seed.
For more analysis of the draw, click here.
Returning Champion Madison Keys
Keys enters the tournament in the midst of a comeback. She missed the start of the season after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the start of the Australian Open in January. She noted she had a very mild case with little to no symptoms. She did not return to action until March, in part due to a neck injury.
The 26 year old Keys is currently ranked 24. She’s only played 5 matches in 2021, most recently being knocked out in the first round of the Miami Open. Keys could start the tournament against fellow American and former VCO champion Sloane Stephens, if Stephens wins her first round match.
Local Players
Local players Shelby Rogers and Emma Navarro play their first round matches on Tuesday. Rogers is slated to play Kristina Miladenovic and Navarro will go head to head with Renata Zarazua. Tuesday’s order of play and match times have not been announced.
TV Coverage
Tennis Channel has coverage beginning today from 10 a.m. and will provide coverage throughout the tournament. The semi-finals and finals will also be broadcast on ABC News 4 on Saturday and Sunday. The complete schedule is outline below:
Mon 4/5 Tennis Channel 10:00 am -10:00 pm
Tues 4/6 Tennis Channel 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wed 4/7 Tennis Channel 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thur 4/8 Tennis Channel 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri 4/9 Tennis Channel 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat 4/10 Tennis Channel & WCIV ABC NEWS 4 (CHARLESTON) 10:45 am - 6:00 pm
Sun 4/11 Tennis Channel & WCIV ABC NEWS 4 (CHARLESTON) 10:45 am - 4:00 pm
*All match times subject to change
**Doubles Final begins at 10:45 am followed by Singles Final