Eastbourne Tennis Day one in pictures

EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Johanna Konta of Great Britain has a surprise hit on court with tennis for kids Ruby prior to the Nature Valley International at Devonshire Park on June 21, 2019 in Eastbourne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA) *** Local Caption *** Johanna Konta SUS-190622-124523002

Here’s some great pictures from the day including a surprise for young tennis player Ruby Wood from British No 1 Johanna Konta.

Meanwhile, former Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur reached the deciding round of qualifying at the Nature Valley International, Eastbourne – an LTA summer grass court event – on a tough day for British wild cards Freya Christie and Alicia Barnett.

The champion at the US Open in 2011, Stosur beat the No.4 seed in qualifying, Iga Swiatek, 6-0 6-3, and will face No.7 seed Magda Linette, a 7-6(3) 6-1 winner over Urszula Radwanska, for a place in the main draw in Eastbourne.

She said she was happy with the start to her 2019 Nature Valley International campaign. “I played very well today,” said Stosur. “Everything I’ve been trying to do in this match I was able to execute 100 per cent. I got off to a great start and that made her a little bit shaky and I was really happy I was able to finish it off. I was a little bit tested in that last service game but to get through that was really pleasing.”

Making her thirteenth visit to Eastbourne, Stosur praised the quality of Devonshire Park’s grass courts, and the event’s uniquely relaxed atmosphere. “The court was beautiful, it was like being on carpet,” said Stosur. “It’s pretty breezy here in Eastbourne, and the wind can change direction quite quickly, but we’re used to that here and with the blue sky we’re not going to complain.

It’s always a great event here. Even the first day of qualies the stands are full. Everyone likes their tennis down here so there’s always a good atmosphere. There’s so much space for the fans to get around and see and being the grass court event they can be right up close to the court and feel part of it.”

Elsewhere, qualifying top seed Dayana Yastremska beat wild card Freya Christie (Nottingham) 6-0 7-6, and qualifying No.12 seed Zarina Diyas beat wild card Alicia Barnett (Gloucester) 6-1 6-1 .

Qualifying is set to continue on Saturday – Charity Day at the Nature Valley International – with £5 from each ticket sold going to official tournament charity Friends of Sussex Hospices. Main Draw play gets under way on Sunday.

NATURE VALLEY INTERNATIONAL - EASTBOURNE