Defending champion, Angelique Kerber of Germany has been eliminated from the tournament after losing to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals of the Sydney International 6-4 6-1. It was a battle of the lefties on Ken Rosewall Arena, where each had won 6 times in the head-to-head.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Petra Kvitova hitting a backhand during her Sydney International singles quarterfinal match against Angelique Kerber on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
Just 6 minutes into the match, rain caused play to be suspended and the players were sent to the locker rooms. They returned, only to be sent back off after another 14 minutes of play. At this point, Kerber had two break points at 2-2 that she was waiting to try and convert.
Play was suspended until 10:30 pm, while the rain eased and the court was dried. Once the players had warmed up for the third time, Kerber was able to break when Kvitova hit the ball long. The German consolidated to be 4-2 and had two break points to go 5-2 up and have the opportunity to serve for the set, but her second break point was saved with a swinging volley from Kvitova. The Czech then went on to win the next three games to win the first set.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Angelique Kerber hitting a forehand during her Sydney International singles quarterfinal match against Petra Kvitova on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
In the second set, the only game that Kerber was able to win was her first service game. Kvitova was attacking Kerber’s serve and getting good depth on her returns, which put the German under pressure. Kvitova served for the match and won it when Kerber hit the ball long.
Kvitova will next play Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the semi-finals, on Ken Rosewall Arena. The Czech is hoping to gain the opportunity to lift the Sydney International trophy for the second time, having done so in 2015.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Angelique Kerber shakes hands with her Petra Kvitova after the Sydney International singles quarterfinal match on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
Australia’s Ashleigh Barty will take on Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in the first semifinal, with Barty looking to reach the final for the second year in a row, then go one better. Bertens is into her first Sydney semifinal.
