In Tuesday’s first all-Swedish match in singles, Sweden’s number two Mirjam Björklund met Sweden’s number five Jacqueline Cabaj Awad on the center court in Båstad. In bright sunshine and with Swedish support in the audience, Björklund took a stable lead with 4-0 in the first set. Cabaj Awad played himself up at the end of the first set but Björklund was too strong and was able to close the first set confidently with 6-1.
Björklund, who is now ranked 136th in the world, hit two service aces in a row to increase his lead to 3-0 in the second set. Björklund continued to steam on and comfortably made it 5-2, but Cabaj Awad didn’t give up – her sledgehammer forehand hit rock-solid winners that put pressure on the Swedish number two. Cabaj Awad battled into the last and played her way to 4-5, but Björklund’s winning streak shone through on center court and she held her serve to win 6-4 in the second set.
