Kvitova becomes latest star to exit Wuhan early

Wuhan (China): Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia fought back from a set down to defeat the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third round of the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.

Pavlyuchenkova, the world number 39, ended fifth-seed Kvitova’s hopes of claiming a third title at Wuhan in five years, reports Efe news.

The Czech two-time Wimbledon champion is the latest top-10 player to bow out of Wuhan at the tournament’s early stages, following Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Elina Svitolina, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Garcia.

Pavlyuchenkova bested Kvitova in all categories, particularly on serve; Kvitova was guilty of 10 double faults, and managed just 57 percent on first serve.

Pavlyuchenkova advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty.

Ashleigh Barty caused another upset in the competition on Wednesday, knocking out Germany’s third seeded Angelique Kerber to advance to the quarterfinals.

World number 17 Barty, last year’s runner-up in Wuhan, beat the reigning Wimbledon champion 7-5, 6-1 to break a seven-match losing streak against the world’s top 10 players, reports Efe news.

The Australian started the match strongly, racing into a 5-2 first set lead.

Kerber managed to level the set at five games apiece, before Barty reimposed herself on proceedings, winning eight of the last nine games to close out the second set and the match. (IANS)