Tennis-Undercooked Kvitova bows out after 'painful' defeat

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 18, 2022 Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova in action during her first round match against Romania's Sorana Cirstea REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Twice former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said she was unsurprised at bowing out of the Australian Open in the opening round on Tuesday after a difficult month Down Under.

The 2019 Australian Open finalist was ousted by Sorana Cirstea for the second successive year at Melbourne Park, the Romanian veteran easing to a 6-2 6-2 victory on John Cain Arena.