Stosur set to tackle the Dubai challenge

SAMANTHA Stosur will face Anett Kontaveit in the opening round of the Dubai Tennis Championships after making light work of qualifying.

Gold Coast’s former world No.4 was too strong for Maria Sakkari of Greece, prevailing 6-1 6-4 to set up a first-round clash with the 22-year-old Estonian Kontaveit. In the main draw Johanna Konta defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets.

The British No.1, making her debut in Dubai after being drafted in as a wildcard, edged a tight first set on a tie break before making shorter work of the second set to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.

There were also wins for Naomi Osaka, Daria Kasatkina, Ekaterina Makarova and Elina Vesnina.

Earlier, Petra Kvitova joined Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova on the list of Dubai absentees, pulling out with a leg injury.

The Czech was fresh from her second straight title, winning in Qatar over Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza after lifting the trophy in her previous event in St Petersburg.

Kvitova is now back in the top 10 little more than a year after suffering serious cuts to her hand during a home invasion.

“I am really disappointed to be withdrawing,” Kvitova said in a statement. “I spent my offseason in Dubai this year and was really looking forward to being back at a tournament where I’ve had great results.”