Karolina Pliskova, the ninth seed, beat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-3, 6-3, while Belgian Elise Mertens also progressed after her 6-4, 6-2 win over Magdalena Rybarikova, as did Australian Ashleigh Barty
Serena reacts after losing to Kvitova on Tuesday. Pic/Getty Images
Serena Williams exited the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati after a gruelling second-round defeat to Petra Kvitova. Number eight seed Kvitova applied the pressure from the start, breaking 23-time grand slam winner Williams twice in the first set. A nervy start to the third set saw both players drop their serve, but Kvitova found her stride to go 4-2 up and eventually win 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
ADVERTISEMENT
Azarenka out, Svitolina wins
Meanwhile, No. 6 seed Caroline Garcia fought back from 2-0 down in the first set and 5-3 in the second to overcome Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-5. Fifth seed Elina Svitolina faced an equally tough match against Svetlana Kuznetsova, with the Russian threatening Svitolina's lead in each set. With the breaks going back and forth, the Ukrainian eventually held serve to seal a 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-4 victory.
Pliskova beats Radwanska
Karolina Pliskova, the ninth seed, beat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-3, 6-3, while Belgian Elise Mertens also progressed after her 6-4, 6-2 win over Magdalena Rybarikova, as did Australian Ashleigh Barty.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
