British junior tennis sensation Hannah Klugman faced a challenging debut on the WTA main draw, falling 6-2, 6-2 to world number 27 Yulia Putintseva in the first round of the Nottingham Open on Monday.
The 16-year-old, who reached the French Open girls’ final in May, struggled to find her rhythm against the experienced Kazakh player, marking a tough transition from junior to professional competition.
Klugman, a former Orange Bowl champion at age 14, entered the match as one of Britain’s most promising talents. However, Putintseva, the reigning Birmingham Classic champion on grass, proved too strong.
The Kazakh’s aggressive play and court coverage overwhelmed Klugman, who admitted the surface switch from clay to grass posed challenges. “I felt very uncomfortable in my first match on grass after a long period on clay,” Klugman said post-match. “It was tough against a top player—I’ve never faced someone like that.”
The Briton’s serve faltered, with five double faults and only five of 18 second-serve points won. The first set saw six breaks of serve, but Putintseva dominated the final stretch, winning four of the last five games.
Klugman showed flashes of potential in the second set, moving more confidently, but a critical net bounce at 3-2 allowed Putintseva to break and seize control. The Kazakh sealed the victory in 70 minutes, advancing with a final break.
Despite the loss, Klugman praised the supportive crowd and the court’s atmosphere, expressing a desire to improve. “I just wish I could have played better,” she reflected.
Elsewhere at the WTA 250 event, Clara Tauson of Denmark outlasted Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 7-5, 2-6, while Queen’s champion Tatjana Maria withdrew before her first-round match.
In Berlin, two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, competing as a lucky loser, defeated Caroline Dolehide 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 to reach the second round.