Roberta Vinci continued her outstanding start to 2016 with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-1, win over Former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova.
During the match, Vinci faced only two break points (saving both of them) compared to her opponents 11. It was an impressive display from the Italian who won 71% of her first service points and 57% of her second. In comparison Cibulkova massively struggled with her second serve, winning just 7% of them (1/14).
The win for Vinci follows her first round triumph over former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic. Reflecting on her straightforward win against Cibulkova in Brisbane, the 32-year-old admitted that even she was surprised with the scoreline.
“I’m surprised. It was an easy score, but is always tough to play against a player like Dominika”. The world No.15 said.
“I think I played a good game today; really focused every on every single point. Also yesterday, I played a great match so of course I’m in confident. I’m really happy. This is my first tournament of the year and I am playing good”.
Vinci’s most memorable achievement last year occurred at the US Open when she stunned world No.1 Serena Williams in the semi-finals. Speaking about the confidence generated from that win, Vinci hopes to use it to her advantage as she targets the top 10 in 2016.
“Well, of course I’m confident right now. I’m 15 in the world right now and I will try my best to reach the top 10. This is my goal”. Vinci said.
“I know it is not easy, but I would like to enjoy this year, no pressure, try my best, improve every single day, every single tournament everything”.
In the last eight in Brisbane Vinci could play two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka will play luck loser Ysaline Bonaventure in her second round match. The Italian was on course to play Simona Halep before she withdrew from the tournament. Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, the eighth seed remains coy about her chances.
“I’m happy that I won two great matches already. So there is no pressure; nothing to lose; just play my game. Of course I would like to play like today and yesterday:
Good match, good tennis”. She concluded
Elsewhere at the Brisbane International there was a duo of Russian success. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova overcame a mid-match blip to edge out France’s Alize Cornet 6-2, 1-6, 6-4. Meanwhile, Ekaterina Makarova defeated lucky loser Margarita Gasparyan 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
