Google News
The much-awaited first-round match between Petra Kvitova and Jennifer Brady at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix ended with the former claiming the win on Tuesday. Kvitova, who’s seeded seventh in the draw, won 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 32 minutes to reach the second round in Stuttgart.
The Czech southpaw hit 27 winners and saved all three break points she faced en route to her victory. Speaking after her win, Kvitova said, “When the draw came out, I was like, 'Wow, this is a good first-round.' The field here is unbelievable, and this is like a quarterfinal or a semi-final of a Grand Slam”.
Then, analysing her performance, Kvitova noted, “It was great match and a tough opponent for the first round, for sure. At the beginning, it was pretty tight and I think the games which I was serving were really tough, and I think a few times I [was] lucky as well, to be honest.
I took the chance to break her to win the first set, and that was probably the key that I really went for it more than I was before”. In the second round, Kvitova will play Maria Sakkari. The Greek defeated wildcard Andrea Petkovic in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 in their opening-round match.
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Aryna Sabalenka triumphs
The other seed opening her campaign on Tuesday, fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka also moved into the second round without much ado. The Belarusian won 6-2, 6-2 against Shuai Zhang and in the second round, will play German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam.
Friedsam won her opener against fellow qualifier, Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri 6-2, 6-0. Meanwhile, in the German derby between Laura Siegemund and qualifier Mona Barthel, Siegemund came through, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in two hours and 11 minutes.
In the second round, Siegemund will play top-seed Ashleigh Barty. Anett Kontaveit defeated German qualifier Julia Middendorf 6-2, 6-3 in the first round. Next up for the Estonian is a clash against third seed Sofia Kenin. Ekaterina Alexandrova also advanced to the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Tuesday.
The Russian defeated Czech Karolina Muchova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. In the second round, Alexandrova will play eighth seed Belinda Bencic.