Kvitova, Bencic and Collins in the quarterfinals

Adelaide (Australia): Czech Petra Kvitova has reached the quarterfinals of the second edition of the Adelaide Australian tennis tournament after her opponent withdrew on Wednesday, and was joined by Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and American Daniel Collins.

Kvitova, two-time Wimbledon champion, saved three balls to settle the first set before tearing it 7-6 (8-6), against Chinese Cheng Kenwen, who withdrew with a left thigh injury.

It was the fourth win in four matches this year for the 32-year-old, who is set to enter the Australian Open next week, where she reached the final in 2019.

“Of course, that gives me confidence,” said the world No. 16, who will meet fifth-seeded Daria Kastekina of Russia, who beat Czech Barbora Kryczekova 6-2, 7-6.

“Some things remain to be improved, obviously as always, but other than that I’m happy.”

In turn, Collins, the last Australian Championship runner-up to withdrawn Ashleigh Barty, outlasted Swiss Jill Taichmann 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), securing her place in the quarterfinals.

But she needed seven balls to settle the match against the qualified player from the qualifiers, and forced a difficult match with the ninth seed, Russian Veronika Kudermitova.

Bencic reached the same round defeating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya, 6-3, 6-3.

The 13th seed has lost just two sets, against world No. 1 Polish Iga Schwyntek, in her last eight games, and is having a good run ahead of this year’s first major tournament: “I’m definitely ready.”

“I’m really strong in big games and in difficult moments, and I’m confident about that. The more you win in those moments, the more it will help you,” continued the Tokyo Olympic gold holder.

Paula Badusa of Spain and Beatriz Maya Haddad of Brazil also qualified, beating Estonian Kaya Kanepi and American Amanda Anisimova respectively.

And Russia’s Arina Sabalenka took the title at this year’s inaugural tournament in Adelaide (500m), beating young Czech Linda Noskova 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) last week.