Auckland, Jan 1 (IANS) Fifth-seeded American Jamie Hampton brushed aside Czech qualifier Kristyna Pliskova in straight sets to reach the women’s singles quarterfinal of the Auckland Tennis Classic here Wednesday.
In a clinical display of power hitting from the baseline, the 23-year-old was untroubled by Pliskova, who couldn’t find the form that helped her knockout 2010 champion Yanina Wickmayer in the first round, reports Xinhua.
In her third appearance here, Hampton looked confident on the centre court, winning 6-3, 6-4. The World No.28 made the semifinals last year before losing to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska. Hampton will now face compatriot Lauren Davis or teenager Ana Konjuh in the last eight clash.
Earlier, third seed Kirsten Flipkens,also progressed to the quarters with a straight sets win over 21-year-old Czech Karolina Pliskova, the twin sister of Kristyna. World No.20 Flipkens was leading 5-0 in the first set before withstanding a fightback from the Czech to close out the match 6-4, 6-3.
The 27-year-old Belgian also made the quarterfinals in 2013 before losing to compatriot Yanina Wickmayer.
Flipkens reached the 2013 Wimbledon semifinals where she lost to eventual champion Marion Bartoli.
Also through on Day 3 were Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, who beat Canadian qualifier Sharon Fichman 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Kurumi Nara, who convincingly won her all-Japanese clash against Ayumi Morita 6-0, 6-1.
