WTA Linz Open: Dominika Cibulkova vs. Sara Errani

Dominika Cibulkova and Sara Errani will clash on Thursday in the second round of the Generali Ladies Linz Open.

Dominika Cibulkova was in trouble in her second round matchup against Elena Baltacha yesterday, but she was spared from what could have been a tough third set when the Brit was forced to retire. Baltacha had two match points in the second set, but after failing to convert, she allowed Cibulkova back into the match.

The third set had barely gotten underway when Baltacha retired due to an injury to her lower back, leaving the seventh seed with a 4-6, 7-6(3), 1-0 victory. Having escaped from such a close battle, Cibulkova will now surely be keen to push on and live up to her status as one of the tournament favourites.

She has a difficult showdown against Sara Errani ahead of her though. Errani has won two of her five previous matches against Cibulkova, and could be in with a chance here. Cibulkova will be considered the favourite on Thursday, but this has the potential to be a close contest.