DOHA, Qatar — Sixth-seeded Andrea Petkovic advanced to the second round of the Qatar Open with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 win over Belgian qualifier Kirsten Flipkens on Tuesday.
Flipkens, who beat Petkovic in the second round at New Haven last August, showed a good touch in the first set — only to crumble in the second as Petkovic opened up a 4-0 lead.
The 10th-ranked Petkovic was in total control of the third set, with the German winning four games in a row to seal the contest.
"Kirsten isn’t a great match up for me. I always struggle against her," Petkovic said. "She played really well, especially in the first set. I was able to step up my game in second and third sets."
Carla Suarez Navarro advanced after fellow Spaniard Garbine Muguruza retired due to a viral illness, with Navarro leading 6-5 after the first set. Jelena Jankovic thrashed China’s lucky loser Zheng Saisai 6-0, 6-2, while Karolina Pliskova beat Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 7-6 (4), 6-4.