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In a derby of two Czech left-handers at the US Open on Thursday, Petra Kvitova defeated Kristyna Pliskova to reach the third round. The tenth seed won 7-6(4), 6-2 in an hour and 19 minutes. Kvitova didn’t face a single break point on her serve and went on to break Pliskova twice across the match.
The higher-ranked southpaw had 32 winners, nearly twice as many as Pliskova’s 17 and three more unforced errors than the latter’s 15. For a place in the fourth round, Kvitova will play 17th seed Maria Sakkari. Kvitova’s compatriot and Kristyna’s twin, Karolina Pliskova faced a stiff challenge against American Amanda Anisimova in their second-round match, in what was the last match of the day.
Eventually, the fourth seed saved a match point and came from being 2-4 down in the third set tie-break to win 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(7) after two hours and 21 minutes of play. Anisimova hit 44 winners to Pliskova’s 39 but also had 37 unforced errors to the latter’s 22 which in the end, helped Pliskova turn the match around in her favour.
US Open: Jessica Pegula, Shelby Rogers keep American banner flying
The Wimbledon finalist will take on Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. The Australian posted an upset over 30th seed Petra Martic, winning 7-6(6), 6-4 in an hour and 39 minutes.
Sixth seed Bianca Andreescu defeated Lauren Davis 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the round-of-32. The Canadian will play Greet Minnen next. The Belgian ousted Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 6-4 in their second-round match. Davis’ compatriot, Shelby Rogers fared better in her second-round clash against Sorana Cirstea.
Rogers posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory and will take on top seed Ashleigh Barty next. Another American who reached the third round in the top half of the draw was 23rd seed Jessica Pegula. Pegula defeated Misaki Doi 6-3, 6-2 in the second round, and will take on 11th seed Belinda Bencic.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also made it to the round-of-32 at Flushing Meadows on Thursday, The Russian, seeded 14th, defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the second round. For a spot in the round-of-16, Pavlyuchenkova will play compatriot, Varvara Gracheva.
Lastly, Angelique Kerber also advanced to the third round of the US Open. The German whose match against Anhelina Kalinina was postponed to Thursday after bad rains hit New York on Wednesday evening needed just 66 minutes to complete a 6-3, 6-2 victory over the Ukrainian. Photo Credit: Brad Penner/USTA