Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova blasts into Australian Open third round
Angelique Kerber easily won the battle of left-handers against big-hitting Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-3 to stroll into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
tennis Updated: Jan 16, 2019 15:33 ISTSecond seed Angelique Kerber dominated Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia to easily reach the Australian Open third round on Wednesday.
The German Wimbledon champion produced a consistent display to advance 6-2, 6-3 in humid conditions.
“It was a tough match, she played really well and I knew that I had to play my best tennis,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said.
Kerber, a winner at Melbourne Park in 2016, will meet Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell next.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova cruised into the Australian Open third round Wednesday, with her vanquished opponent Irina-Camelia Begu tipping the Czech eighth seed for the title.
Kvitova never looked troubled as she downed Begu 6-1, 6-3 in 69 minutes.
“If you’re gonna play like that you’re gonna win it,” the Romanian said as she congratulated Kvitova at the net.
The 28-year-old has been in strong form leading into the season-opening Grand Slam, winning last week’s Sydney International.
Kvitova, whose best result at Melbourne Park was a run to the semi-finals in 2012, will meet Belinda Bencic of Switzerland next.
First Published: Jan 16, 2019 15:32 IST