Petra Kvitova pleased to avoid first-round exit

Petra Kvitova has said that she is happy to have avoided consecutive first-round exits at the Australia Open.

The Wimbledon champion was knocked out in round one in Melbourne last year, but beat Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp in straight sets to set up a second-round meeting with Germany's Mona Barthel.

The Czech player told reporters: "I didn't have nice memories from last year when I lost my first round, so I'm happy I won today.

"I'd never played my opponent and I'm just pleased to win. It's never easy to be the favourite on the court with everyone expecting that you're going to win easily."

Kvitova has only been past the second round twice in six attempts in Melbourne.