Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova overcame a potentially dangerous first round by dismissing world No.11 Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 7-5.
Kvitova is ranked just three places above her Belarusian opponent, who won the Shenzhen Open title last week in China. Nevertheless, the two-time Wimbledon champion thwarted the threat with a solid performance. Hitting 28 winners (17 more than Sabalenka) and achieving a 85% success rate behind her first serve.
“She was definitely (finishing strongly). She came from Shenzhen (last week) where she won the tournament so I knew it would be a tough match,” said Kvitova.
“Unfortunately I lost (to her) at the US Open but I’m happy with my performance here in the first round.
“It’s always tough to play her, she’s a big server, big hitter. So I’m really happy that I was able to win it.”
After racing through the opening set is just 24 minutes, Kvitova was tested at the start of the second. Falling behind 1-3, the 28-year-old triumphantly battled back. Breaking Sabalenka in three of her next four service games to seal victory. Kvitova now leads their head-to-head 2-1.
After a successful 2018 season that saw her win five WTA trophies, Kvitova is hoping to continue that trend into the new year. This week she is bidding to win the Sydney International for the second time in her career and first since 2015. Kvitova is one of only two Czech women to have won the tournament since 1990. The other was Jana Novotna in 1991.
“I just hope that I can continue and enjoy tennis in this season,” she said.
“It’s great coming somewhere where you really love, of course, when you win a title it’s something very special in your heart.”
Kvitova will take on Hsieh Su-wei in the second round.
Barty ready to fight
Ash Barty will be the first opponent world No.1 Simona Halep faces this year on the tour. The Australian kicked-off her campaign with a straightforward 6-3, 6-3, win over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. Barty, who lost just four points behind her first serve, was too strong against her erratic opponent. Ostapenko produced nine double faults and won only 48% of points behind her serve.
“A few areas of my serve I’d like to clean up. Look, it was a pretty straightforward match, which is what I’m most pleased with,” Barty said afterwards.
Looking ahead to her clash with Halep, who received a bye in the first round, Barty is relishing the challenge she faces. The two have met on twice before with Halep prevailing on both occasions. A record that Barty is eager to change.
“I feel like I have played enough matches now, I’m ready, feel pretty good on the court. There’s certainly no better challenge than coming up against Simona right before a Slam.” She said.
“It’s kind of the perfect opportunity for me to go out there and play freely and try a few different things.
“I think I’m going to have to serve well. She’s probably the best returner in the game. Using my forehand is obviously no secret. When I can get more forehands and backhands, I feel like I’m in control of more points. But it’s going to be an extremely physical match.”
Elsewhere at the tournament, Sloane Stephens was another player to be victorious on Tuesday. The former US Open champion overcame a nightmare start to her match by battling past Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 0-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(3). She will take on Yania Putintseva next.
