No.3 seed Klara Zakopalova from the Czech Republic has advanced to the round of 16 after a convincing 6-4 6-3 victory over 23-year-old Hungarian opponent Timea Babos this morning.
Zakopalova took a break in the first game of the match to take an early lead. Babos then worked hard to get the break back and level at 2-2 only to throw it away again in the next game. At 4-3 Babos was again able to break the world No. 23’s serve, but the Hungarian just could not seem to build up any momentum, handing the break straight back to allow Zakopalova to take the first set 6-4 in just over 35 minutes.
From there it was all Zakopalova as she took a 4-0 lead in the second and on her way to a 6-4 6-3 victory, in a match that lasted just over one hour.
Zakopalova carries great form into the Hobart International coming off the back of a finals appearance at the Shenzen Open in China on Saturday night where she lost to top seed Li Na of China. Zakopalova is certainly one to watch as the tournament progresses, particularly considering the Hobart International is a favourite event for the 30 year old Czech Republican.
“I’m here for the 10th or 11th time so I love it (the tournament),” she said speaking post match.
But despite her great form and vast experience playing the Hobart courts, Zakopalova is modest about her chances of taking the title.
“I don’t want to say I have a chance to win the tournament, I am just in the second round and every match is very tough here,” she said.
Zakopalova will play Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova in her next match after she overcame Romanian Irina-Camella Begu 6-3 6-4 yesterday.
In this morning’s other match Serbian Bojana Jovanovski took a 6-0 7-6(9-7) victory over lucky loser Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor on Court Events Tasmania.
Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues was a last minute withdrawal from the singles draw with an abdominal injury, granting Torro-Flor a spot in the main draw first round. The 20-year-old Spaniard was not able to grasp the opportunity, losing to a clinical Jovanovski in straight sets.
Jovanovski will play Kirsten Flipkens in the round of 16 after she ousted No.6 seed Francesca Schiavone last night.
By Nick Cuthbertson