Petra Kvitová battled past the windy conditions to defeat a spirited Paula Badosa 7-5 7-5 to reach the last 32 at the Australian Open.
Experience was the key for Kvitová as she grinded out a tough straight sets win over talented Spaniard Paula Badosa to reach the third round in Melbourne.
Next for last year’s finalist is Ekaterina Alexandrova or Barbora Krejcikova.
In windy conditions, Kvitová continued her bid for grand slam success against hard-hitting Spaniard Paula Badosa and immediately struggled to judge the flight of the ball.
As for the Badosa, she seemed unfazed by the occasion ripping balls and creating space to hit winners past the Czech Republican.
It was also the Spaniard’s ability to return deep into the court that gave her opportunities to break serve after surviving a few early scares.
Some of that great returning was on show as she secured the first break of the match at 4-2 and settled into the contest well.
There was an immediate fightback though from last year’s finalist as a few powerful forehand saw her wrestle the break back and let out a huge ‘Pojd’ scream.
After being unable to detect her opponent’s game, Kvitová went up a gear as she managed to neutralise Badosa’s big serving and hitting.
Eventually a second break towards the end of the set sealed the opening set for the 7th seed as she edged out control of the opening set, 7-5.
Another break at the start of the second set was the momentum that Kvitová needed against a gritty and powerful opponent like Badosa.
But the Spaniard’s resolve continued to shine as she forced more errors out of the two-time grand slam champion and broke back.
Both players proved threatening on return and had many opportunities to secure the crucial break as it was first-strike tennis at its very best.
In the end though Kvitova proved why she has been a top 10 player for so long as she saved three set points as she powered to another break in the eleventh game and held to secure a tight straight sets win.
It was a gritty, determined performance from Badosa who proved why she has a lot of potential to do well in the game.
However experience was the key for Kvitova as she dealt with the tricky conditions and the power of Badosa to make the third round against either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Barbora Krejcikova.
In the pick of the other results, Iga Swiatek and Anett Kontaveit both advanced to round two with straight sets wins over Timea Babos and Astra Sharma respectively.
