Kvitova Knocks Out Ivanovic

Petra Kvitova remains in contention for the Australian Open title and world number one ranking after beating Ana Ivanovic to reach the quarter-finals.

The Czech second seed, who has a chance of replacing Caroline Wozniacki at the top of the rankings, won 6-2 7-6 (7-2) on a scorching day at Melbourne Park.

"It was a really tough match at the end of the second set," said the reigning Wimbledon champion.

Kvitova will play Sara Errani of Italy, who beat China's Zheng Jie 6-2 6-1.

I'm lucky I played at 11 o'clock so wasn't too bad, but it's nice to have it warm and it's Australia so we're prepared for thisPetra Kvitova

"I missed an easy shot and lost eight points in a row, but I played well in the tie-break," Kvitova added.

"I'm lucky I played at 11 o'clock so wasn't too bad, but it's nice to have it warm and it's Australia so we're prepared for this."

Ivanovic was expected to give Kvitova her toughest test of the tournament so far, but was quite comfortably dispatched.

Both players confidently negotiated their opening service games but Ivanovic faltered in game three as a double-fault and backhand into the net gifted her opponent an early break.

Completely untroubled on her own delivery, Kvitova struck again in game seven before serving out the 32-minute first set.

She had to save two break points early in the second and then broke for 3-2 when Ivanovic netted a backhand.

Kvitova crumbled when serving for the match at 5-4, missing an easy smash as Ivanovic took two straight games to love.

A tie-break beckoned but it was Ivanovic who capitulated this time as Kvitova sealed a straight-sets victory.

Petra Kvitova Dominates WTA Awards

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been named WTA player of the year.

The 21-year-old Czech began the year ranked 34 in the world before she won her maiden Grand Slam beating Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in July.

She also won the Fed Cup and the end-of-season WTA Tour Championships, finishing the year ranked two in the world, behind only Caroline Wozniacki.

Germany's Sabine Lisicki won Comeback player of the year after she reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

"This season has been simply a dream," Kvitova said.

"It is an incredible honour to win the player of the year award and join the ranks of some of the best players that have ever played the sport, especially Martina Navratilova.

"I will always cherish the 2011 season and look forward to building on it."

Kvitova was also named most improved player and was further honoured with the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, which acknowledges a player's professionalism, attitude and sense of fair play.

Her fourth prize was the fans' award for favourite breakthrough player.

Lisicki's award for comeback player of the year was due to her run to the last four at Wimbledon, winning titles in Birmingham and Dallas, and reaching a career high 15 in the world rankings.

Kveta Peschke of Czech Republic and Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik won the award for doubles team of the year after they won six tour titles, including their first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu won newcomer of the year after a season that saw her rise from 214 in the world to a high of 38.

KVITOVA'S DREAM YEAR

Wins first Grand Slam at Wimbledon plus titles in Brisbane, Paris, Madrid and Linz

Wins both singles matches in Fed Cup final as Czech Republic beat Russia 3-2

Beats Victoria Azarenka to win end-of-season Tour Championships in Istanbul

Ends year at career high ranking of two