Defending champion:
Petra Kvitová (10) who defeated Kiki Bertens 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3
Second round:
- Qualifier Kateryna Kozlova v Karolina Pliskova (5)
The pair had never met previously. Pliskova was sitting third in the 2019 Porsche WTA Race before the tournament.
Pliskova served first and held to love, a forehand winner included. Kozlova replied with a love game of her own, all due to Pliskova errors. The third game in succession without a point against serve was delivered by the fifth seed, two aces and a forehand winner giving her a 2-1 lead.
3-3 arrived without a break point faced and Pliskova led 40-15 in the seventh game, a backhand winner helping. A loose forehand and a netted backhand brought it to the first deuce of the match, and an outstanding forehand down the line by Kozlova earned her a break point. An errant Czech forehand confirmed the break and the Ukrainian led 4-3.
Pliskova immediately broke back, to love, a double fault and Pliskova forehand winner key moments.
At 5-5, and Pliskova serving, an ace began the game. A double fault countered that. An exchange of errors and 30-30. An amazing forehand return off a good serve presented Kozlova with a break point. A double fault and Kozlova would serve for the set.
A sensational backhand drop shot from Kozlova was given a winning backhand response by Pliskova, but another drop shot winner, this time off the backhand, presented Kozlova with two set points. A wayward Pliskova forehand ended the set 7-5 in the favour of Kozlova.
Set two belonged to Pliskova who never faced a break point, in fact wasn’t even taken to deuce. Neither was Kozlova in two service games, but the qualifier was broken twice, once in the fourth game, and once in the last.
Pliskova evened things at 5-7 6-2.
The deciding third set began with the longest game of the match. Pliskova served and had two chances to hold. She didn’t, instead dropping to deuce on each occasion. Break point came and went, and serve eventually held.
Kozlova found it easier, levelling at 1-1 with a love game. two backhand winners and an ace prominent.
At 2-2, an exchange of service breaks occurred, much the same as in the middle of set one. Serves were then held by both players for 4-4.
Pliskova served in the ninth game. A fine return produced a Pliskova error, but an ace evened it up. Pliskova netted a backhand and hit a forehand long to give Kozlova two break points. An ace saved one. A forehand winner after a great serve saved the other. A magnificent return forced a Czech error and a third break chance in the game. A backhand winner from the Ukrainian racquet clinched the break, and Kozlova would serve for the match.
A winning Kozlova backhand began things. A misguided Pliskova backhand and 30-0. An exquisite drop shot from Kozlova for 40-0 and three match points. A backhand return pushed wide and the match was over.
Qualifier Kateryna Kozlova defeated fifth seed Karolina Pliskova 7-5 2-6 6-4.
- Naomi Osaka (1) defeated wildcard Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6(5) 3-6 6-0
- Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated qualifier Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2 6-2
- Simona Halep (3) defeated Johanna Konta 7-5 6-1
- Zheng Saisai defeated Alizé Cornet 6-2 3-6 6-4
- Donna Vekic defeated qualifier Kristyna Pliskova 6-4 6-4
- Petra Martic was handed a walkover by Angie Kerber (4) who suffered an ankle injury
- Caroline Garcia defeated wildcard Sorana Cîrstea 6-4 3-6 6-1
Round of sixteen match ups
Naomi Osaka (1) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Belinda Bencic v qualifier Kateryna Kozlova
Simona Halep (3) v Viktoria Kuzmova
Ashleigh Barty (9) v Yulia Putintseva
Sloane Stephens (8) v Zheng Saisai
Donna Vekic v Petra Martic
Kiki Bertens (7) v Anastasija Sevastova (12)
Caroline Garcia v Petra Kvitová (2)
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