Cibulkova conquers Cornet in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, OH, USA - Former World No.4 Dominika Cibulkova won the last four games of her second-round encounter with Alizé Cornet to emerge victorious, 6-1, 6-4, and reach the Round of 16 at the Western & Southern Open.
Cibulkova capped a career-best year in 2016 when she captured the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global - defeating Simona Halep and then-WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber en route - but injuries have stunted her progress this season, winning back-to-back matches just once since the Miami Open heading into Cincinnati.
Avenging a tough Wimbledon loss to Ana Konjuh in the first round, the Slovak rolled through the opening set against Cornet, herself in search of her best form, before falling behind in the second.
Cornet had won her last two matches against Cibulkova - including a straight-set win to start the season at the Brisbane International - and appeared poised to push things a deciding set when she took a 4-2 lead. However, she didn't win another after holding a game point for 5-2.
In the end, Cibulkova proved too tough, winning 60% of return points to secure victory after 81 minutes on court.
Up next for the former Australian Open finalist is No.7 seed and British No.1 Johanna Konta, who shook off a surprise early loss at the Rogers Cup with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kiki Bertens to kick off her week in Cincinnati following a first-round bye.
