Categories: Sports

Kvitova beats Rybakina as Wimbledon champs clash in Adelaide

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in action against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during her first round match on Day 1 of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 09, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE (AP): Petra Kvitova issued a reminder of her ability ahead of the Australian Open when she beat Elena Rybakina on Monday in a clash of Wimbledon champions at the Adelaide International.

The 32-year-old Kvitova, who won at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014, relied on a powerful serve in her 6-3, 7-5 win over the reigning Wimbledon champion.

Former world No. 2 Kvitova also carried form from the recent United Cup, at which she represented the Czech Republic and won a notable victory over third-ranked American Jessica Pegula.

Rybakina became the first player from Kazakhstan to win a major title when she beat Ons Jabeur at Wimbledon last year. But she struggled to get into Monday’s match against Kvitova, whose serve set up key points.

“I lost (to Rybakina) last season and she played really great, serving really well so I focused on my serve, waited for my chances to break her,” Kvitova, said. “And my serve worked very well today. It’s what I’m very happy with.

“It was about (dominating) the serve and first one or two points of the rallies.”

Most players have hailed the United Cup mixed teams format as a success and welcomed the unusual experience of male and female players working together as teammates.

“I enjoyed the United Cup and playing with the guys,” Kvitova said. “It was a different vibe and gave me great practice, great attitude as well so I came here playing very well.” Kvitova now will play either Shelby Rogers of Zheng Qinwen in the second round.

Another Wimbledon champion, Garbine Muguruza, was beaten in the first round. Muguruza joined the main draw as a wild card and lost 6-3, 6-4 to eighth-seeded Belinda Bencic. Earlier, Swiss qualifier Jil Teichmann, also fresh from the United Cup, beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-4.

At the Hobart International, American qualifier Lauren Davis beat fourth-seeded compatriot Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2. It was Stephens’ second consecutive first-round exit after her loss as second seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

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