By Tennis Now | Thursday, March 23, 2017
Dominika Cibulkova is well aware what you don’t know can hurt you.
Facing Paraguayan qualifier Veronica Cepede Royg for the first time, a vigilant Cibulkova was in no mood for surprises.
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The fourth-seeded Cibulkova did not drop serve defeating the qualifier, 6-3, 6-2, to move into the Miami Open third round.
An opening-round casualty in Miami last year, Karolina Pliskova burst out of the blocks with confidence today.
The second-seeded Pliskova pounded out a 6-1, 6-3, conquest of qualifier Madison Brengle in just 59 minutes.
That victory vaults Pliskova into a third-round match with Yulia Putintseva.
The 27th-seeded Putintseva saved 10 of 14 break points dispatching Carina Witthoeft, 6-4, 6-4.
Cibulkova showed toughness grinding through a 10-minute hold for 5-3. She exploited successive double faults from her opponent breaking at love to seize a one-set lead.
Cepede Royg, who committed six double faults, dropped serve again as Cibulkova built a 3-0 second-set lead.
The former Australian Open finalist broke for the fourth time to seal a one hour, 33-minute victory.
Cibulkova will face veteran Kirsten Flipkens in round three. Flipkens took advantage of 12 double faults from Ana Konjuh posting a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 6-2 victory.
"She was my doubles partner—back when I played doubles," Cibulkova told WTATennis.com of Flipkens.