Kvitova passes first test in Toronto
Originally published on 07/08/17 00:00
The Czech, who performed poorly in her quarter-final defeat to Catherine Bellis at the Bank of the West Open in Stanford last week, excelled in the opener and recovered from a precarious position in the second set to seal victory.
“I feel pretty solid right now,” said Kvitova “It was a great match in the second set, I really had to fight.”
Kristina Mladenovic’s disappointing start to the North American hard-court season continued after she lost her first round match against Barbora Strycova. The crafty Czech prevailed 6-2 6-3 and she will take on Daria Gavrilova next, who overcame Lara Arruabarrena for the concession of just six games.
Heather Watson was forced to retire in her first round match with Naomi Osaka. The Japanese teenager was leading 6-1 4-1 when the Brit signalled that she could no longer continue.
Elsewhere on the grounds, No.11 seed, Dominika Cibulkova defeated Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(3) 6-4, Varvara Lepchenko overcame the French Open winner, Jelena Ostapenko, 1-6 7-6(2) 7-6(5) and Sloane Stephens squeezed past Yulia Putintseva 6-7(4) 6-0 6-4.
There were also opening round wins for Anastasija Sevastova, Daria Kasatkina and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Kirsten Flipkens was required to play just a single set, though, as Ana Konjuh retired injured.