World No.2 Petra Kvitova takes on former World No.1 Ana Ivanovic for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Australian Open, season's first Grand Slam event being played here in Melbourne, Australia.

Petra Kvitova enjoyed her breakthrough season in 2011 with a Grand Slam and yearend Championship titles among the 5 triumphs she registered in the momentous year. The lefty from Czech Republic is seen by many as the NEXT-BIG-THING in WTA circuit. Kvitova made an impressive start to the new season by helping her nation win the prestigious Hopman Cup in Perth and picked up a few more confidence boosting wins in Brisbane and Sydney before entering the first major in Melbourne. In the previous rounds, Kvitova humbled Vera Dushevina before battling it out with Carla Suarez Navarro in the second round.

Kvitova's opponent is the most recognizable Serbian woman in the world, Ana Ivanovic. Known more for her looks than her play in recent years, Ana Ivanovic managed to remain in the limelight for some good reasons too. Her back-to-back titles in Bali helped her finish the 2010 and 2011 season on a good note. Currently ranked No.22 in the world, Ivanovic has 11 WTA singles titles to her credit.

Both players have contested three matches before and Kvitova has failed to record a win in any of them. Ivanovic won the pair's last meeting handily in 2009 in Brisbane.

Ofcourse, a lot has changed in the last three years and both Ivanovic and Kvitova would keep it in account while entering this hugely anticipated clash. Kvitova is likelier to clinch her first win over the Serbian in today's clash.

TennisEarth.com's Pick- Petra Kvitova in two closely contested sets.