Kerber sets up Halep showdown in Eastbourne

A trio of former world No.1s stormed into the quarterfinals at Eastbourne on Wednesday.

Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova are all sharpening their grass court games ahead of Wimbledon – but a fourth, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, fell short as she was beaten by eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Kerber beat Swede Rebecca Peterson 7-6(4) 6-0 and Pliskova crushed Elise Mertens 6-1 6-2. Halep was pushed hard by Polona Hercog before emerging with a 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory.

Enjoy today's #NatureValleyInternational Shot of the Day, courtesy of @Simona_Halep. pic.twitter.com/zTUIyaHmYn

— WTA (@WTA) June 26, 2019

In a repeat of last year’s final, Wozniacki lost 2-6 6-4 7-6(5) in a fierce battle with Sabalenka who fought back from 2-5 in the third set, saving a match point, on the way.

Sabalenka crunched 40 winners to Wozniacki’s 21 as she claimed a first win against a top-20 player this year, avenging last year’s final loss.

She will face Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands next, after the third seed beat Anna-Lena Friedsam in straight sets.

.@SabalenkaA advances to the #NatureValleyInternational quarterfinals!

Defeats defending champion Caroline Wozniacki 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). pic.twitter.com/vx9yFiyvnY

— WTA (@WTA) June 26, 2019

Jelena Ostapenko, a semifinalist at last year’s Wimbledon, suffered an injury scare as she retired in her match against Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Meanwhile, Kerber continued to thrive after a tricky clay court season as she blazed past Peterson following a tough first set.

The fourth seed saved two set points in the opener but eased through the second with a dominant display.

“I’m feeling good so far,” Kerber told reporters.

“The first set was really close and tough. Then I started good in the second set and finding then my rhythm even better in the second set, so it was a good match.”

Pliskova, who reached the Eastbourne final in 2016 and 2017, was even more impressive against Mertens.

“I felt like, it’s bad to say, but there was no chance that I was going to lose today,” she said.

“I just felt super confident after I made the quick break in the first set.”

Local favourite and world.19 Johanna Konta was beaten 6-3 6-2 by Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur.