Australian Open – draw: German duel for Alexander Zverev, huge task for Andrea Petkovic”>Barbora Krejcikova, 4th in the world and winner of Roland-Garros 2021, won her ticket for the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Czech easily dismissed Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (WTA 25) with a double 6-2 after 1h24 of play.
Krejcikova, who had never passed the 2nd round at Melbourne Park, took advantage of a pain in the neck of Azarenka, former world No.1 and double winner of the tournament (2012, 2013).
The Czech will challenge Madison Keys in the quarter-finals. The American, 51st in the world, has never been worried by the Spaniard Pauda Badosa (WTA 6), one of the revelations of the 2021 season with her title in Indian Wells. Keys won 6-3, 6-1 in 69 minutes, approaching the level of play that saw her reach No. 7 in the world in 2016 and the 2017 US Open final.
Another American, Jessica Pegula (WTA 21), emerged victorious from a duel against a higher ranked player than her. Indeed, she dismissed the Greek Maria Sakkari (WTA 8) in two sets – 7-6 (0), 6-3 – in order to reach, as in 2021, the quarter-finals.
The last round of 16 of the day will see the Australian Ashleigh Barty, world No.1, challenge the American Amanda Anisimova (WTA 60).
