Petkovic sees off Flipkens

Doha - Sixth-seeded Andrea Petkovic has advanced to the second round of the Qatar Open with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 win over Belgian qualifier Kirsten Flipkens on Tuesday.

Flipkens, who beat Petkovic in the second round at New Haven last August, showed a good touch in the first set — only to crumble in the second as Petkovic opened up a 4-0 lead.

The 10th-ranked Petkovic was in total control of the third set, with the German winning four games in a row to seal the contest.

Carla Suarez Navarro advanced after fellow Spaniard Garbine Muguruza retired due to a viral illness, with Navarro leading 6-5 after the first set.

Jelena Jankovic thrashed China's lucky loser Zheng Saisai 6-0, 6-2, while Karolina Pliskova beat Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 7-6 (4), 6-4.