Kerber makes strong start at WTA Eastbourne

LONDON -- 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber eased into round three of the Eastbourne International, as Kiki Bertens, Johanna Konta, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep also reached the last 16 on Tuesday.

Kerber made the semifinals at the Mallorca Open last week to kick off her grass court season and will be hopeful of claiming her first title of the year in Eastbourne, where she has reached the final twice previously.

Her opponent, Australian qualifier Samantha Stosur, had seen off American Sofia Kenin in round one, but had no answer to Kerber's power as the German fired 15 winners on her way to a 6-4, 6-4 victory.