Johanna Konta claims revenge in Qatar

Johanna Konta exacted quick revenge on her Australian Open conqueror Bernarda Pera at the Qatar Total Open.

World number 11 Konta swept past American qualifier Pera 7-6 (7/5) 6-1 to reach the second round in Doha – and avenge her shock second-round defeat
to the 23-year-old at the Australian Open last month.

Tenth seed Konta will now meet either Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro or Kateryna Bondarenko in the second round.

Petra Kvitova extended her winning streak to eight matches by sailing past wildcard Cagla Buyukakcay 6-0 6-3 in the first round in Doha.

The two-time Wimbledon champion’s two singles wins helped the Czech Republic overwhelm Switzerland 3-1 in the Fed Cup in Prague last weekend, and extended that fine form again on Tuesday.

Kvitova will now face world number two Agnieska Radwanska in the second round.

“I’ve gotten some sleep, just a little bit,” said Kvitova.

“I’m happy to be here, it was definitely a tough schedule for me, but getting an eighth win is something really nice for me.

“It’s been super really long since I’ve had such a good run. I’m just trying to continue with that.”

Kvitova has been steadily working back to top form and feeling since being attacked by an intruder at her home in December 2016, that left her
with serious damage to her left hand.

And the 27-year-old extended her recent run of fine form by easing past Buyukakcay in straight sets.

“It was my biggest motivation to be back playing on the tennis court, competing against the best players,” said Kvitova.

“The dream came true, so I’m happy to be in the draw again.”

Kristina Mladenovic saw off Peng Shuai 6-2 6-4 to book a second round date with Anna Blinkova, after helping France see off Belgium in Fed Cup
action.

Carina Witthoeft will face top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the second round after seeing off Tatjana Maria 6-3 6-0, while Magdalena Rybarikova will
take on Monica Niculescu after toppling Fatma Al Nabhani 6-3 6-1.

Sam Stosur eased past Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4 6-2 to tee up a testing meeting with eighth seed Angelique Kerber, with Sorana Cirstea overwhelming
Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-3.

Fourth seed Garbine Muguruza swept through her second-round clash with Ying-Ying Duan 6-3 6-4 with precious few problems.

Marketa Vondrousova saw off Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-1, Alize Cornet moved past Anett Kontaveit 6-2 6-1, and Madison Keys beat Qiang Went 6-1 6-4.