Two-time champion Kvitova safely through to third round with straight sets win over Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich

Petra Kvitova (Cze, 9) bt Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2/6-2

By Charlie Stong on No.2 Court

Two-time Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova is safely through to the third round after a comfortable 6-2/6-2 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Court No.2 today.

The world number nine was rarely in trouble, defeating her Belarusian opponent – 60 places below her in the rankings – in 1hr 14 mins.

The Czech made a slightly tentative start, falling to 15-40 in her first service game, but eventually recovered to hold with an ace.

Kvitova, who won here in 2011 and 2014, was soon on her game, pulling out some fine passing shots to break Sasnovich for 2-0.

Sasnovich’s weaker serve was under threat throughout this match. Indeed, she won just three of her eight service games in all, Kvitova pouncing on anything short and the Belarusian not helping herself with a plethora of double faults.

She did, however, break Kvitova’s serve to make it 2-3, but the Czech hit back immediately, to take a 4-2 lead thanks to an overturned would-be ace on break-point.

Sasnovich was fighting, and in fact looked more threatening on Kvitova’s serve than on her own. But after Kvitova eventually held for 5-2, she broke again to take the set.

Sasnovich was not going away, however, and broke Kvitova immediately at the start of the second set.

But just as in the first set, she failed to back up the break and lost her serve once again for 1-1.

Three service holds then followed, before Kvitova made the vital move to lead 4-2, producing a wonderful backhand cross-court pass to take the decisive game.

The game was almost up for Sasnovich. With Kvitova now serving at her very best, 4-2 quickly became 5-2, then game, set and match when Kvitova broke for the sixth time thanks to two unforced errors from the Belarussian.

Pictured top: Petra Kvitova v Aliaksandra Sasnovich on No.2 Court (Picture: Charlie Stong)