Kvitova starts well in Stanford

Originally published on 04/08/17 00:00

The Czech, playing her first hard-court match since the Fed Cup final in November last year, did not face a single break-point as she eased into the last eight.

“I served very well,” admitted Kvitova. “I was just trying to play my game – which I always try – and sometimes that works, sometimes not. Kateryna is a dangerous player I knew that I had to be focused and just play aggressive.”

Home-favourite, Catherine Bellis, will provide the Czech with her next test. The talented teenager defeated Veronica Cepede Royg 7-6(3) 6-2 to keep her title dreams alive.

Coco Vandeweghe continued her excellent form as she brushed past Niccole Gibbs for the loss of just two games. Her next opponent also recorded an emphatic victory. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova overcame Alison Riske 6-4 6-0 in just 72 minutes.

At the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., Simona Halep had to battle back from a set down to take out Mariana Duque-Marino 3-6 6-4 6-2 on a hot afternoon in the American capital.

17-year-old Bianca Andreescu secured the biggest upset win of the tournament so far. The Canadian took out the No.2 seed, Kristina Mladenovic, 6-2 6-3, to reach her first WTA quarter-final.

“I’ve worked very hard to get where I am right now and all the hard work is paying off,” said the first player born in the 2000s to secure a top 20 victory. “My dream was to make history and that’s what I did today.”

There was not such a positive outcome for another Canadian. Andrea Petkovic defeated Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 4-6 6-0 to reach the last eight. “It feels good,” remarked the German. “It feels very hot and humid, but I played well here before, and I’m very happy to be in the quarters.”

There were also second round wins for Sabine Lisicki and Monica Niculescu. 

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