Barthel to play Kvitova in round two in Cincinnati, Cibulkova also through

Fourth seeded Petra Kvitova received a bye into the second round of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. There she will meet an impressive looking Mona Barthel after the German claimed her place in the last 32 with a 6-0 6-4 win over Spain’s Martinez-Sanchez.

11th seeded Cibulkova of Slovakia booked her place in the second round by beating Akqul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan in straight sets 6-3  6-4. She will play Czech qualifier Hlavackova next, who overcame fellow qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-3 7-5.

German Angelique Kerber also received a bye in Cincinnati. Today, the fifth seeded Argentine faced Hungarian Timea Babos in the second round after the 19 year old saw off the challenge of Varvara Lepchenko in the first.

Babos proved to be no pushover – the young Hungarian has already defeated Sorana Cirstea and French Open champion Sara Errani this year – and took a set off Kerber before eventually going down 3-6 6-1 6-2.

In round three, Kerber will meet the winner of the above mentioned players Dominika Cibulkova or Andrea Hlavackova.

Also through to the second round is Poland’s Urszula Radwanska after dismissing Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan 6-2  6-4 and Eleni Daniilidou of Greece after winning a three set battle of the qualifiers against American Vania King, prevailing 6-3  2-6  7-6 (6).

Tags Angelique Kerber Cincinatti Dominika Cibulkova Mona Barthel Petra Kvitova