On Monday, we wrote about Radu Albot, the first top-100 player from Moldova. Today’s order of play features Danka Kovinic, the top player from Montenegro.
Kovinic, ranked 81st, opens against Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia, who had a moment in the spotlight at last year’s Open with an upset of Petra Kvitova.
While Moldova does not have a rich tennis history, the former Yugoslavia, of which Montenegro was part, has produced quite a few champions. Monica Seles won eight Grand Slam titles representing Yugoslavia. After the breakup of the country, Serbia gave us Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic; Croatia gave us Iva Majoli, Goran Ivanisevic and the defending United States Open champion Marin Cilic, who was born in Herzegovina.