ADELAIDE, Australia — Petra Kvitova issued a reminder of her skill forward of the Australian Open when she beat Elena Rybakina on Monday in a conflict of Wimbledon champions on the Adelaide Worldwide.
The 32-year-old Kvitova who gained at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 relied on a strong serve to eke out a 6-3, 7-5 win over Rybakina, who gained final yr’s Wimbledon title.
Former world No. 2 Kvitova additionally carried kind from the latest United Cup, at which she represented the Czech Republic and gained a notable victory over third-ranked American Jessica Pegula.
Rybakina turned the primary participant from Kazakhstan to win a serious title when she beat Ons Jabeur at Wimbledon final yr. However she struggled to get into Monday’s match towards Kvitova, whose serve arrange key factors.
“I misplaced (to Rybakina) final season and she or he performed actually nice, serving rather well so I centered on my serve, waited for my possibilities to interrupt her,” Kvitova, mentioned. “And my serve labored very nicely immediately. It is what I am very proud of.
“It was about (dominating) the serve and first one or two factors of the rallies.”
Most gamers have hailed the United Cup blended groups format as a hit and welcomed the weird expertise of female and male gamers working collectively as teammates.
“I loved the United Cup and enjoying with the blokes,” Kvitova mentioned. It was a special vibe and gave me nice observe, nice angle as nicely so I got here right here enjoying very nicely.”
Kvitova now will play both Shelby Rogers or Qinwen Zheng within the second spherical.
Earlier, Swiss qualifier Jil Teichmann, additionally contemporary from the United Cup, beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5 6-4.
On the Hobart Worldwide, American qualifier Lauren Davis beat fourth-seeded compatriot Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2. It was Stephens’ second consecutive first spherical exit after her loss as second seed on the ASB Basic in Auckland.