Connecticut Open: Former champ Kvitova tops Radwanska, Pliskova ousted

New Haven, August 21: Petra Kvitova started her bid for a fourth Connecticut Open crown with a straight-sets win over Agnieszka Radwanska, while world number one Simona Halep withdrew from the WTA tournament.

A three-time winner in New Haven, Czech star Kvitova was too good for former world number two and 2016 champion Radwanska 6-1 7-6 (7-3) on Monday (August 20).

Seeded third, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova rallied from 3-1 down in the second set of her opening match to earn a meeting with qualifier Zarina Diyas.

"I'm glad that I made it in the two [sets] for sure," Kvitova said. "I did not want to be on the court much longer to play against Aga. She's a great mover on the court and gets to a lot of balls so it could have been a long match. I had to fight in the second set when I was down 3-1 but just waited my chance to break her.

"I think once she played longer she played better and better. My serve went pretty OK. I'm glad that I found my rhythm in the end of the second set. I had some easier games on serves and that was saving my energy as well."

Three time New Haven champion @Petra_Kvitova books her place in the second round of the @Connecticutopen!

Seals the win over Radwanska 6-1, 7-6(3)! pic.twitter.com/7VN3ajY8N2

— WTA (@WTA) August 21, 2018

French Open champion Halep pulled out due to an Achilles injury

The Connecticut Open lost another big name on Monday after fourth seed Karolina Pliskova suffered a 6-1 6-3 defeat against Ekaterina Makarova.

Johanna Konta accounted for Laura Siegemund 6-2 7-5, Aryna Sabalenka topped Samantha Stosur 6-3 6-2, Camila Giorgi eased past Ana Bogdan 6-3 6-2, Danielle Collins lost 6-0 6-3 to Dayana Yastremska, Aliaksandra Sasnovich outlasted Kristina Mladenovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (3-7) 6-2, while Monica Puig beat Timea Bacsinszky 7-5 6-1.