Defending champion and second seed Angelique Kerber reached the quarterfinals of the Sydney International on Tuesday, withstanding big pressure in the first set against Camila Giorgi and then recovering from an early deficit in the second set by winning the last six games for a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory. Seventh seed Kiki Bertens is also in the quarterfinals, but with a walkover, as Garbine Muguruza withdrew due to a gastrointestinal illness.
Other Tuesday’s matches were first-rounders. Fourth seed Sloane Stephens defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 0-6 7-6(3) 7-6(3) (what a scoreline!