Top-seeded Kvitova knocked out of Prague by qualifier Sramkova

Petra Kvitova, the 2018 Prague champion, was upset by Czech qualifier Rebecca Sramkova, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 on Monday. The 226-ranked qualifier earns her first top-20 win against the No 12-ranked two-time Wimbledon champion, thanks to 10 of 15 break points saved.

Livesport Prague Open: Singles Draw | Doubles Draw

Sramkova, who topped in the rankings at 111 in 2017, was playing just her fifth WTA-level match. She will face either Mona Barthel or wild card Viktoria Kuzmova in the second round.

Kvitova has dropped three straight matches, dating back to her semi-final loss to Angelique Kerber at Bad Homburg. She fell in straight sets to Sloane Stephens in first-round action at Wimbledon. The Czech is currently tuning up for the Tokyo Olympics, which begin on July 24. She was a bronze medallist in singles at the Rio Games.

Top five seeds Czech at Prague

There is still a lot to cheer about for local fans, as six of the top eight seeds are Czech, including each of the top five. 2021 Roland-Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova is the No 2 seed, 2019 Roland-Garros runner-up Market Vondrousova is the No 3 seed, Marie Bouzkova is seeded fourth and Katerina Siniakova is seeded fifth.

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Tennis Majors

Stosur’s losing streak hits six

Australia’s Samantha Stosur, a wild card, was a first-round casualty at the hands of American Grace Min, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. The former US Open champion has not won a match since the first round of the Australian Open, and is currently ranked 165. No 7 seed Nina Stojanovic of Serbia defeated Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, while No 9 seed Greet Minnen topped Giulia Gatto-Monticone of Italy 6-0, 4-6, 6-1.

American qualifier Asia Muhammad and Tereza Smitkova also reached round two on Monday.