Tennis: WTA tennis returns as Vekic beats Rus in Palermo

Tour-level tennis returned after a five-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic - as sixth seed Donna Vekic of Croatia beat Artanxa Rus of the Netherlands in the first round of the WTA Palermo Open on Monday. The world number 24 won 6-1, 6-2 in a match where both players had to handle their own towels and forego the traditional post-match handshake. There are no showers on site for the players and while there are a limited number of fans allowed in the stadium, players are not allowed to stop to sign autographs or pose for selfies. Vekic next faces Slovenia's world number 45 Polona Hercog or Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy in the next round.