In-form Petra Kvitova reached the Adelaide International quarter-finals on Wednesday after her opponent retired and was joined by resurgent Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova saved three set factors earlier than claiming the opening set 7-6 (8/6) towards China’s Zheng Qinwen, who then retired with a left thigh harm.
It was the fourth win from 4 matches thus far this 12 months for the 32-year-old Czech as she prepares for subsequent week’s Australian Open, the place she made the ultimate in 2019.
“Of course this gives me some good confidence,” mentioned the world quantity 16.
“Still a few things to improve, of course, as always, but otherwise I’m happy.”
American Danielle Collins, who misplaced to Ashleigh Barty in final 12 months’s Australian Open ultimate, defeated Jil Teichmann 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to additionally seal a berth within the ultimate eight.
But it took her seven match factors to interrupt down the Swiss qualifier.
Fellow Swiss Bencic progressed with a straight-sets win over Anna Kalinskaya.
Bencic is now 3-1 for the 12 months, having cut up her matches on the United Cup earlier than defeating Garbine Muguruza within the opening spherical at Adelaide.
The world quantity 13 has dropped solely two units — each to world primary Iga Swiatek — in her final eight matches and is in buoyant temper forward of the opening Grand Slam of the 12 months.
“I’m absolutely ready,” mentioned Bencic, who gained gold on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I’m really strong in the most important matches and in tight moments, so I definitely feel very confident about that. The more you win in those moments, the more it helps.”
In the boys’s draw, British teen Jack Draper superior to the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-4 win towards American Tommy Paul, whereas Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat dwelling favorite John Millman 6-3, 6-3.