Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Former Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitová loses in first round in straight sets

By Adam Stites | Last updated 1/17/22

Two-time Wimbledon champion and 2019 Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitová came nowhere close to repeating that run in 2022, instead losing in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) against Sorana Cîrstea in the first round.

Kvitová, 31, was the 20th seeded player in the women's singles draw and was matched up against the unseeded Cîrstea, who has never advanced past the tournament's fourth round. While Kvitová started strong by winning the first six points of the match, the tables quickly turned and Cîrstea was unstoppable for the remainder of the day.

An upset to kick off Day 2

@sorana_cirstea needs just 72 minutes to defeat our 2019 #AusOpen finalist Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-2.#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/73AAoQep6d
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2022

Cîrstea was never broken by Kvitová, who had 39 unforced errors compared to Cîrstea's 19.

Kvitová is the third top 20 seed in the women's singles draw to lose in the first round so far, along with 11th seeded Sofia Kenin and 18th seeded Coco Gauff.

Cîrstea will advance to face the winner of a match between Japan's Misaki Doi and Slovakia's Kristína Kučová.

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