Kvitova into last 16 after sensational third-set tiebreak with Muguruza

Petra Kvitova edged out Garbine Muguruza 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10) on Saturday and will face the winner of the match between Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan and American Jessica Pegula, the No 8 seed, in the next round

Petra Kvitova at the 2022 US Open (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Tennis Majors

September 3, 2022

Czech Petra Kvitova, the No 21 seed, advanced to the last 16 of the US Open by edging out Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the No 9 seed, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10) at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Saturday.

Kvitova extends her record over Muguruza to 6-1- and this time round she came back from 5-2 down in the third set, saving two match points on her serve en route to victory.

“Actually, I would love to forget the tiebreak,” smiled Kvitova in her post-match press conference.

“Yeah, it’s been very tough match today. I actually didn’t expect that tough. I think Garbine played a really great match. I didn’t see her playing like this for a very long time. Especially from our previous matches, she was really showing great tennis today.

“She was serving very, very well, keeping fighting. Same with me. I really had to fight, fight, fight, to, you know, win this match, especially with a break down in the third one. Facing few match points in my serve, and then the tiebreak was just nightmare.

“I’m glad that somehow worked out, and I’m glad, you know, it was a big relief after the match points.”

Among the ten top seeds, only Iga Swiatek (1), Ons Jabeur (5), Aryna Sabalenka (6) and Jessica Pegula (8) are still running in the women’s draw.

Muguruza’s best run in a major in 2022

“I left everything on the court today,” stated Muguruza after her loss. “I had my chances. Obviously the match points. I have had some tough losses this year, but definitely this one makes me feel like my fighting spirit was there, my tennis as well. I probably need some extra confidence playing on those match points.”

Earlier in the tournament, Muguruza, ranked No 10, won against Dane Clara Tauson (6-3, 7-6 (5)) and Czech qualifier Linda Fruhvirtova (6-0, 6-4), that is her best run in a major tournament this year (second round at the Australian Open, first round at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon).

Kvitova, ranked No 21, will play the winner of the match between Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan and American Jessica Pegula, the No 8 seed, next. The Czech beat Russian qualifier Erika Andreeva (7-6 (3), 6-0) and Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina (W/O) in the previous rounds of Flushing Meadows.