Former champions through to next round

8 January 2010, by Hobart International Tennis

Michaella Krajicek, the 2006 Moorilla Hobart International champion, is through to the second round of qualifying at the 2010 tournament.Petra Kvitova, the 2009 Moorilla Hobart International champion, is through to the second round is also through to the second round in straight sets.

Kvitova, who struggled with injury throughout 2009 resulting in ranking dropping outside the cut off for the 2010 Moorilla Hobart International, was too strong for Australian teenager Monika Wejnert, taking the match 6-1 6-4.

Still trying to overcome the tonsillitis which forced her withdrawal from Auckland last week Kvitova said she was happy to be back in Hobart.

“Before the Australian tour I was sick and I didn’t play Auckland so this was my first match this year. It was tough for me because I still feel a little bit sick but I like it here, I won here, so it’s a nice place for me,” Kvitova said after her match.

Anna Chakvetadze, the 2007 Moorilla Hobart International champion defeated Tasmanian wildcard Alyssa Hibberd 6-1 6-1.

It was Hibberd’s Sony Ericsson WTA Tour debut and she said she will take a lot from her match against the former world No.5.

“It was really good out there Anna played well and I did the best I could. I hit a few good shots so it was good,” Hibberd said.

Krajicek was pushed to three sets in her qualifying match before overcoming Sharon Fichman 6-3 2-6 6-2.

“I have good memories here, obviously the first year I was here I won the tournament right away, then next year I didn’t do so well, but definitely good memories,” Krajicek said.

“Hopefully I can fight my way through qualies (qualifying) then make the main draw and maybe repeat what I did the first time.“

The tough draw proved the better of the Australian contingent in action today with wildcards, Marija Mirkovic and Sally Peers also suffering first round defeats.

Mirkovic put up a valiant fight against Alberta Brianti before going down 6-4 7-5 while Great Britain’s Elena Baltacha was too strong for Peers winning 6-3 6-0.

Day two of qualifying for the Moorilla Hobart International is on tomorrow (Saturday). Gates open at 9:00am with matches starting at 10:00am.

Tickets can be purchased for the Moorilla Hobart International through Ticketek, or at the Domain Tennis Centre, with tickets starting at just $9.90.