Share

Quick revenge sweet for Kerber over Kvitova

Stuttgart - Angelique Kerber earned quick revenge against Petra Kvitova with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of the Czech in the Stuttgart Grand Prix first round on Wednesday. 

The pair had faced off last Sunday at the same Porsche arena venue in a Fed Cup semi-final tie won by the visitors, with Kvitova defeating Kerber. 

The German, a former world number one who is now ranked 12th, was all business against the two-time Wimbledon champion, preventing Kvitova from three straight victories in their head-to-head series. 

Kerber closed it out on her third match point after 77 minutes when Kvitova returned long. 

"I had goosebumps when I came out on court," said the German. "It was not an easy match after Sunday. 

"My team and I analysed it and we learned from that loss. I'm unbelievably happy to be in the second round. 

"I knew what to expect from Petra, I tried to play aggressive and control the match. I always need time to get my rhythm." 

Kerber set up a match against Anett Kontaveit, the world number 31 who outlasted Kristina Mladenovic 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5). 

The Estonian needed more than three hours to put out 2017 finalist Mladenovic, with the French player saving match points in the final-set tiebreaker. 

Between them, the women converted on 19 of 39 break points on offer, with Mladenovic sunk by 10 double-faults. 

CoCo Vandeweghe put aside her career-long dislike of clay to crush US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-0 with a 56-minute rout. 

There was a similar fate for last year's New York runner-up, with Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova eliminating American Madison Keys 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 6-4. 

Vandeweghe and Stephens, who won the Miami title last month after a lacklustre six months following her Grand Slam triumph, had teamed up at the weekend to help the United States defeat France and reach the Fed Cup final. 

"I really don't like clay, it's my least favourite surface," Vandeweghe said after defeating the seventh seed. 

"I'll never like it. This is my second time in Germany - I'm not here for the clay, it's more the shopping. 

"I didn't come out here to play and lose." 

Vandeweghe broke six times in her victory and next faces defending champion Laura Siegemund of Germany in the second round. 

Vandeweghe increased her career record over Stephens to 4-1. 

In other first-round results, Russian qualifier Veronika Kudermetova surprised Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 and Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas downed Germany's Carina Witthoeft 6-3, 6-2.

Results from the WTA Stuttgart Grand Prix on Wednesday (x denotes seeding):

Second round

Simona Halep (ROM x1) bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

First round

Coco Vandeweghe (USA) bt Sloane Stephens (USA x7) 6-1, 6-0

Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) bt Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2

Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-3, 6-2

Angelique Kerber (GER) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE x8) 6-3, 6-2

Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Madison Keys (USA) 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 6-4

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE