Tennis: Tough opening clashes for Wozniacki, Kvitova

Duo through to quarters of Sydney International.

SYDNEY:

World number one Caroline Wozniacki and her chief rankings rival Petra Kvitova faced demanding three-set introductions to the Sydney International in their first official matches of the season.

Wozniacki and Kvitova, tuning up for next week’s Australian Open, were on court for more than two hours after beginning their Australian campaigns indoors at last week’s Hopman Cup in Perth. After her two-hour-and-22-minute match against the 18th-ranked Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, Wozniacki said her 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 victory had been a tough contest but she was relieved to get through it.

“I thought I didn’t have that chance, but I never gave up the fight,” said the Dane, whose tenure at the top of the women’s singles rankings comes despite not winning a grand slam in 19 attempts. “I’m happy to be through. Definitely, that I could fight back from that score is satisfying, but I need to step up my game a little bit.”

Wozniacki set up a quarter-final clash against Polish seventh-seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who overcame Germany’s Andrea Petkovic in straight sets.

Meanwhile, Kvitova also a had tough fight against Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru, needing over two hours to defeat the world number 66. The powerful left-hander, who became the third Czech woman to win Wimbledon last year, set up a quarter-final with Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova.

Li Na, Bartoli progress

Defending champion Li Na beat South African Chanelle Scheepers 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to set up a clash with Lucie Safarova, while Marion Bartoli skated into the quarters with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Jelena Dokic and will play Victoria Azarenka.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2012.