World No.40 Monica Niculescu has sailed into the quarter-finals of the Hobart International with a straight-sets win over Belgian challenger Kirsten Flipkens.
The Romanian on Tuesday won 6-3 6-2, using her trademark slice shots to outwit former world No.13 Flipkens in just 70 minutes. Receive Australian Open free bets when you place a bet on Monica Niculescu.
The result should set up a semi-final showdown with world No.62 Czech Lucie Safarova who faces Japanese qualifier Risa Ozaki in the last eight.
But Niculescu wasn’t looking too far ahead.
“Even if I’m losing … I’m really happy about my performance. It is a very good preparation for the Australian Open,” the 29-year-old said.
Before Hobart, Niculescu was knocked out of China’s Shenzhen Open in the second round as she relied on painkillers to ease a neck complaint.
“I’m not 100 per cent … I still feel it when I look right, (but) now it’s better.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg – called into the main draw to fill a gap after failing to qualify – disposed of world No.55 Andrea Petkovic 6-3 0-6 6-4.
The 129th-ranked player will progress to the final eight and also pick up valuable WTA points for her win.
In match two of the day, it seemed like a race to withdrawal with American Sachia Vickery and qualifier Elise Mertens each calling for the trainer at the first change, with the former leading 1-0.
Vickery retired injured with the match lasting just five-and-a-half minutes.
Her camp later revealed a right lower leg complaint was to blame for the retirement.
Both Vickery and Belgian Mertens are due in Melbourne on Thursday for the start of Australian Open qualifying, with the scheduling due to clash with Hobart’s quarter-finals.
Later on Tuesday, blossoming Australian player Lizette Cabrera takes on Croatian qualifier Jana Fett.
The 19-year-old Queenslander already has a wildcard entry for the Open while Fett is also due at Melbourne Park on Thursday to play in the qualifying round.
World No.208 Cabrera upset Misaki Doi on Sunday in her first-round match, with the Japanese player’s ranking since dropping two spots to 42.
“I want to keep going and just ride the momentum,” Cabrera said after the victory.
Fett on Monday disposed of former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in straight sets.
“This is a good start. I’ve been injured last year so I just started playing in October,” she said.
