ISTANBUL, Turkey — Klara Koukalova survived a first-round scare at the Istanbul Cup to defeat Donna Vekic of Croatia in three sets, winning 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 on Monday.
The third-seeded Czech was joined in the second round at the 64-court Koza World of Sport Complex by fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine who beat Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
In another three-set match, seventh-seeded Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia defeated Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark plays Swiss Belinda Bencic on Tuesday.
The hardcourt Istanbul Cup has rejoined the WTA calendar after a three-year break during which time the Turkish city hosted the WTA finals.
