OSAKA, Japan - Surprise US Open semifinalist Angelique Kerber's recent good fortune continued with a second round triumph on Wednesday at the HP Japan Women's Open Tennis 2011.
Kerber, who rose to a career-high No.30 on last week's rankings, recorded a 61 63 defeat of Olga Govortsova for her 16th win in her last 20 matches and her fourth win over Govortsova in five career encounters. Next up for the third-seeded German is Tamarine Tanasugarn, a 62 64 victor over Mathilde Johansson. Tanasugarn has quite a history here, including the title last year, a runner-up showing in 2001 and semifinal appearances three other times.
One other quarterfinal was also set, as fourth-seeded Petra Cetkovska will play Zheng Jie. Cetkovska made short work of qualifier Erika Sema, 60 63. Zheng upset fifth-seeded Jarmila Gajdosova, 75 63, coming back from a 3-0, two-break second set deficit.
Also Wednesday, the final first round match was played, with Vania King getting the best of Jill Craybas, 61 36 61.
"Won my first round in a tough match, and Yaroslava and I won our doubles. Successful day," tweeted King, who along with Yaroslava Shvedova is in a battle with Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko for the last available doubles spot at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul 2011.
In one of Thursday's featured clashes, King will square off with Marion Bartoli, who is vying for the last available singles spot in Istanbul.
