Australian Open: Fourth Seed Petra Kvitova Advances to Third Round

Under the radar Czech fourth seed Petra Kvitova cruised into the Australian Open third round on Thursday with a straight sets win over Germany's Mona Barthel. (Aus Open Day 4 wrap: Sluggish Serena joins rampant Djokovic in Round 3)

Kvitova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, downed world number 43 Barthel 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round for the first time since 2012, when she advanced to the semi-finals. (Wawrinka dodges Romanian rockets to progress)

"It's my best (performance) in the past three years, so I have to be happy with that and I'm looking forward to the next match," she said. (Djokovic blasts into Round 3)

Kvitova, who was sensationally dumped out of last year's event in the opening round, admitted she grew frustrated when Barthel attacked her serve in the second set, stretching one game for almost 16 minutes. (Ruthless Radwanska eases through)

"I was losing 40-15 (but) I knew I have a good serve and could help myself," she said. (Vintage Venus Williams canters into third round)

"But 16 minutes, it's almost a record for me. In the end I did it, but Mona played very well in the second set

Kvitova will meet Madison Keys of the United States next, an opponent she defeated in straight sets in their only previous meeting.