Kvitova safely through to US Open third round after beating Kozlova
Two-time Wimbledon champion and US Open 6th seed Petra Kvitova came from a break down in the opening set against Kateryna Kozlova to breeze through the second set and advance to the second round in Flushing Meadows.
- US Open second round: Kvitova d. Kozlova 7-6, 6-2
- Key stats of the match: Kvitova is famous for her fearsome groundstrokes off either flank, blasting 33 winners and winning 89% of points off first serve
- You will also learn: Next up for Petra is a meeting with either Kirsten Flipkens or Jessica Pegula
- Why you should read this story: Kvitova is one of the favourites for the title but has never been past the QF of the US Open
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nW6ebAR-E
Kvitova was surprisingly slow out of the blocks, going an early break down in the opening set and saving a set point at 4-5. But the range Czech possesses power in abundance off both flanks, and after breaking back to force a tie-break, she moved into another gear, winning the breaker 7-3 before cruising through the second 6-2.
👋 @Petra_Kvitova pic.twitter.com/IzqXXzhcf9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2020
“It was very difficult today, especially with my nerves, I felt very tired,” said Kvitova afterward. “I couldn’t move well and couldn’t swing as I wanted, but that is a grand slam. At the beginning of a tournament it is always like this, and I’m really happy that I found a way, I really had to fight back in the first set and started to be patient, and I never played her, which was challenging as well, but I’m glad to have won and she really played a great match.”
- Also read: Day 2 recap
- Also read: Williams survives opening round test against Ahn to advance
- Also read: Venus falls to Muchova in US Open first round
- Also read: Wednesday’s full order of play