Tunisian Ons Jabeur went past Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-4 at the Sydney Tennis Classic on Wednesday for her first win over the two-time Wimbledon champion in four meetings, while Spain’s Garbine Muguruza also reached the quarter-finals.
World No. 10 Jabeur, whose most recent defeat to Kvitova came at Cincinnati in August, fought back from a break down in both sets to prevail on Ken Rosewall Arena.
“Finally, after so many losses against her,” seventh seed Jabeur told reporters. “It’s not easy to return those powerful shots, but I’ve been prepared and I really wanted to win. So I went for it.” Up next for Jabeur is Anett Kontaveit, who beat Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 6-1.
Two-time grand slam champion Muguruza staved off a late comeback attempt by Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova to win 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). She next faces another Russian in Daria Kasatkina, who beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 6-4. “We’ve played many times. I remember long matches, physical matches. I’m expecting a similar match,” Muguruza said.
In the men’s ATP 250 tournament at the same venue, Andy Murray recovered from a shaky start to defeat second seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Italian seventh seed Fabio Fognini lost to American Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6).
