Former champion Petra Kvitova has kicked off her return to Brisbane with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Spain’s world No.34 Carla Suarez Navarro, marking her sixth straight win at the Brisbane International.
Kvitova, who launched her success after winning the tournament in 2011, wasn’t without blemishes in her opening round, being broken three times during the match, including squandering a commanding lead in the second set.
But the Czech world No.8 was always in control of the match, breaking the Suarez Navarro serve five times to close out the first round match in straight sets and successfully air out the new-season cobwebs.
“In the beginning of the year I never know what I can expect. It’s always tough for me,” Kvitova said.
“I’m really glad I won in two sets and it was so nice to be back on the court.”
Despite missing chances at the net to allow Suarez Navarro back into the match in the second set, Kvitova is confident she’s in form to reclaim the Brisbane title.
“Everything was pretty solid today, but I have some space to improve in every part in this game. For example I missed some easy volleys at the net on important points, but we practised volleys a lot during the offseason too,” she said.
The past two consecutive women’s winners, including Kvitova, were ranked No.34 when they won the title, and Kvitova’s win on Sunday ensured it would not be three times a charm for Suarez Navarro.
Kvitova, who is the sixth seed in the draw, will now meet Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round after the Russian took down Kvitova’s Czech compatriot Lucie Hradecka in three sets.
Kvitova has a 4-2 winning record against Pavlyuchenkova, including when the Czech upset the then fifth-seeded Russian in the semi-finals of the 2011 Brisbane International.
“We’ve played many times already and it was always a big fight, so I’m expecting the same. She’s a young girl, playing really fast and has a big serve, so it’s going to be a very tough match for me and for her too, so I’m looking forward to it,” she said.