Agnieszka Radwanska beat last year’s Indian Wells finalist Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-3 to set up a quarter final match against Petra Kvitova.
Both players traded breaks in the first two games and again in the fifth and in the sixth games en route to 3-3. Radwanska won the final three games of the first set to clinch the first set by 6-3.
The Polish star got an early break in the first game of the second set and had two game points for 2-0 on her serve but Jankovic saved them to break back for 1-1. The second set went on serve until 3-3. Radwanka broke serve twice to win the final three games of the second set.
“We have played so many good matches before, and I just remember that it’s a lot of running, a lot of rallies and I really prepared for that today. With the conditions it was important for me that match in two sets”, said Radwanska.
Petra Kvitova beat Nicole Gibbs 4-6 6-3 6-3
Petra Kvitova came back from a set down to overcome Nicole Gibbs 4-6 6-3 6-3. Kvitova broke serve in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Gibbs broke back en route to winning four consecutive games (including three games at deuce) to take a 5-3 lead en route to closing out the first set 6-4.
Kvitova broke serve in a hard-fought second game at deuce to open up a 3-0 lead. Gibbs broke back but Kvitova got another break to take a 5-2 lead. Kvitova won the ninth game on serve to love to clinch the close out the second set 6-3.
The third set went on serve in the first two games before Kvitova got the break to take a 2-1 lead. Gibbs broke straight back in the next game. Kvitova broke again in the seventh game and held her next service games to close out the third set 6-3.
Radwanska beat Kvitova 6-2 4-6 6-3 in their last match at last October’s WTA Finals in Singapore. Kvitova leads 6-3 in their nine head-to-head matches.
“I just remember it was a very tough match. Long, tight, everything was tighter, every game, point by point. It’s a little bit different surface, different conditions, definitely. But I think you have always have to play good tennis and be careful, particularly on her serve”, said Radwanska on her next match against Kvitova.
Simona Halep was leading 6-3 1-0 when Barbora Strykova was forced to retire from the match.
