<p>Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova was knocked out of the French Open by Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit on Saturday.</p>

<p>Kontaveit won 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to reach the fourth round for the first time.</p>

<p>Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova made 57 unforced errors and served 10 double faults in an erratic display that saw her 13-match winning streak come to an end.</p>

<p>Kvitova bounded into a 3-1 lead but it was clear that Kontaveit was not going to be a pushover as the Estonian forged 5-3 in front only to be forced into a tiebreak.</p>

<p>Seeded 25 in Paris, the 22-year-old Kontaveit will face either Italian Camila Giorgi or US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the last 16 as she looks to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final.</p>


Kontaveit won 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to reach the fourth round for the first time.

Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova was knocked out of the French Open by Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit on Saturday. Kontaveit won 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to reach the fourth round for the first time. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova made 57 unforced errors and served 10 double faults in an erratic display that saw her 13-match winning streak come to an end. Kvitova bounded into a 3-1 lead but it was clear that Kontaveit was not going to be a pushover as the Estonian forged 5-3 in front only to be forced into a tiebreak. Seeded 25 in Paris, the 22-year-old Kontaveit will face either Italian Camila Giorgi or US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the last 16 as she looks to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final.

French Open: Petra Kvitova knocked out by Kontaveit

<p>Eighth seed Petra Kvitova eased into the third round with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Spain's Lara Arruabarrena on Court One. The two-time Wimbledon champion has now won 13 consecutive matches on clay after claiming titles in Prague and Madrid and will face Estonia's 25th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16. Czech Kvitova has not reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros since a run to the last four in 2012. The 28-year-old raced through the opening set in only 24 minutes, and although she was pegged back after an early break in the second, a booming forehand sealed victory with a third straight game.</p>

<p>Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina reached the last 32 for the fourth consecutive year by brushing aside Viktoria Kuzmova in straight sets.</p>

<p>The 23-year-old, who arrived in Paris having won her second straight Italian Open title, saw off her Slovakian opponent 6-3, 6-4.</p>

<p>Svitolina, a two-time quarter-finalist at Roland Garros, will take on Romanian 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in the last 32.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lucky #️⃣1️⃣3️⃣<a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a> notches her 13th consecutive match win, blasting past Arruabarrena 6-0 6-4 to book her spot in the 3R.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RG18</a> <a href="https://t.co/fAMEeK0IWY">pic.twitter.com/fAMEeK0IWY</a></p>
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<p>Elsewhere, charismatic Japanese 21st seed Naomi Osaka came through a tight match with Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas 6-4, 7-5.</p>

<p>The 20-year-old Osaka is seeded for the first time at a major tournament, having lifted the prestigious Indian Wells title earlier this year before beating Serena Williams in Miami the following week.</p>

<p>Williams, who made her Grand Slam return with a singles win on Tuesday, is back in action in the doubles with sister Venus later on Wednesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">That winning moment. ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RG18</a> <a href="https://t.co/NXFQqiKiBo">pic.twitter.com/NXFQqiKiBo</a></p>
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Eighth seed Petra Kvitova eased into the third round with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Spain's Lara Arruabarrena on Court One

Eighth seed Petra Kvitova eased into the third round with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Spain's Lara Arruabarrena on Court One. The two-time Wimbledon champion has now won 13 consecutive matches on clay after claiming titles in Prague and Madrid and will face Estonia's 25th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16. Czech Kvitova has not reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros since a run to the last four in 2012. The 28-year-old raced through the opening set in only 24 minutes, and although she was pegged back after an early break in the second, a booming forehand sealed victory with a third straight game. Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina reached the last 32 for the fourth consecutive year by brushing aside Viktoria Kuzmova in straight sets. The 23-year-old, who arrived in Paris having won her second straight Italian Open title, saw off her Slovakian opponent 6-3, 6-4. Svitolina, a two-time quarter-finalist at Roland Garros, will take on Romanian 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in the last 32. Lucky #️⃣1️⃣3️⃣@Petra_Kvitova notches her 13th consecutive match win, blasting past Arruabarrena 6-0 6-4 to book her spot in the 3R.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/fAMEeK0IWY — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2018 × Elsewhere, charismatic Japanese 21st seed Naomi Osaka came through a tight match with Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas 6-4, 7-5. The 20-year-old Osaka is seeded for the first time at a major tournament, having lifted the prestigious Indian Wells title earlier this year before beating Serena Williams in Miami the following week. Williams, who made her Grand Slam return with a singles win on Tuesday, is back in action in the doubles with sister Venus later on Wednesday. That winning moment. ?#RG18 pic.twitter.com/NXFQqiKiBo — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2018 ×

French Open: Petra Kvitova enters 3rd round after defeating Lara Arruabarrena

<p>Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Monday fought back from a set down to beat Paraguayan Veronica Cepede Royg and reach the French Open second round.</p>

<p>The eighth seed struggled early but came through 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena.</p>

<p>The 28-year-old Kvitova is one of the favourites to win a maiden Roland Garros title after winning four titles this season, including on clay in Prague and Madrid.</p>

<p>The Czech, who suffered career-threatening injuries on her playing left hand after being attacked in her home by a knife-wielding intruder in December 2016, arrived in Paris on the back of an 11-match winning streak.</p>

<p>However, Cepede Royg came close to snapping that run as she edged 5-4 and 0-15 ahead on Kvitova's serve in the third set.</p>

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<p>She was soon saluting the crowd with a raised clenched-fist as she broke in the next game before wrapping up a victory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It was really tough, we played over two hours. I was more relaxed in the second but the third was tough again and I was lucky that I got the break," Kvitova said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The eighth seed struggled early but came through 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Monday fought back from a set down to beat Paraguayan Veronica Cepede Royg and reach the French Open second round. The eighth seed struggled early but came through 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena. The 28-year-old Kvitova is one of the favourites to win a maiden Roland Garros title after winning four titles this season, including on clay in Prague and Madrid. The Czech, who suffered career-threatening injuries on her playing left hand after being attacked in her home by a knife-wielding intruder in December 2016, arrived in Paris on the back of an 11-match winning streak. However, Cepede Royg came close to snapping that run as she edged 5-4 and 0-15 ahead on Kvitova's serve in the third set. × She was soon saluting the crowd with a raised clenched-fist as she broke in the next game before wrapping up a victory. "It was really tough, we played over two hours. I was more relaxed in the second but the third was tough again and I was lucky that I got the break," Kvitova said.

French Open: Petra Kvitova loses set but wins match to reach second round

<p>Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova rejoiced Thursday after a man who allegedly attacked her with a knife in 2016 was taken into custody but her spokesman said the case was not yet over.</p>

<p>"Naturally this is good news for Petra Kvitova, but the whole case will be over for her only when the culprit has been sentenced," spokesman Karel Tejkal told AFP.</p>

<p>Czech media reports said a man had been detained on May 22 based on an anonymous tip-off and taken into custody on Thursday.</p>

<p>"The district court in Prostejov decided to take a suspect into custody today in the case of P.K.," the website of the DNES broadsheet quoted Zuzana Buresova from the court as saying Thursday.</p>

<p>The public Czech Television said the man was a 54-year-old drug addict, adding Kvitova had identified him as the attacker before travelling to Paris to play at the French Open starting on Sunday.</p>

<p>"We will not comment or confirm any information. We may only say the case has been reopened and the police are working on it," Czech police spokeswoman Eva Kropacova told AFP.&nbsp</p>

<p>Police shelved the investigation in 2017.</p>

<p>The 28-year-old world number eight suffered career-threatening injuries to her playing left hand as she fought off a knife-wielding intruder at her home in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov in December 2016.</p>

<p>Despite grim forecasts by doctors, who even warned she might lose her fingers, the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champion returned to the sport in time for the 2017 French Open.</p>

<p>Kvitova sank from 11th in the world when the crime occurred to 29th at the turn of 2017 and 2018, but she has since climbed back into the top ten, also owing to back-to-back wins at Prague and Madrid at the turn of April and May.</p>


A man allegedly attacked her with a knife in 2016.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova rejoiced Thursday after a man who allegedly attacked her with a knife in 2016 was taken into custody but her spokesman said the case was not yet over. "Naturally this is good news for Petra Kvitova, but the whole case will be over for her only when the culprit has been sentenced," spokesman Karel Tejkal told AFP. Czech media reports said a man had been detained on May 22 based on an anonymous tip-off and taken into custody on Thursday. "The district court in Prostejov decided to take a suspect into custody today in the case of P.K.," the website of the DNES broadsheet quoted Zuzana Buresova from the court as saying Thursday. The public Czech Television said the man was a 54-year-old drug addict, adding Kvitova had identified him as the attacker before travelling to Paris to play at the French Open starting on Sunday. "We will not comment or confirm any information. We may only say the case has been reopened and the police are working on it," Czech police spokeswoman Eva Kropacova told AFP. Police shelved the investigation in 2017. The 28-year-old world number eight suffered career-threatening injuries to her playing left hand as she fought off a knife-wielding intruder at her home in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov in December 2016. Despite grim forecasts by doctors, who even warned she might lose her fingers, the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champion returned to the sport in time for the 2017 French Open. Kvitova sank from 11th in the world when the crime occurred to 29th at the turn of 2017 and 2018, but she has since climbed back into the top ten, also owing to back-to-back wins at Prague and Madrid at the turn of April and May.

Petra Kvitova's alleged attacker taken into custody

<p>Czech 10th seed Petra Kvitova won the Madrid Open title for the third time on Saturday with a marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands.</p>

<p>Kvitova, who was also the champion in Madrid in 2011 and 2015, has now claimed four titles in 2018 after triumphs in St Petersburg, Doha and last weekend in Prague.</p>

<p>Victory, on a chilly, damp night in the Spanish capital, took Kvitova two hours and 51 minutes against a gutsy, unseeded Bertens who had knocked out former world number ones Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki on her way to the championship match.</p>

<p>In a big-hitting, roller-coaster of a final, Kvitova claimed her 24th career title on the back of 39 winners and 58 unforced errors.</p>

<p>Bertens, who had won five of her previous six finals, including on clay in Charleston earlier this year, led 4-2 with a break in the first set before Kvitova roared back, retrieving the break in the next game.</p>

<p>The Czech claimed the 74-minute opener on a third set point.</p>

<p>Bertens carved out the only break in the seventh game of the second set to level the contest.</p>

<p>She then fell 2-4 down in the decider before bravely hitting straight back but in a thrilling finale, Kvitova dug deep to break again for 5-3 before a love service hold gave her victory and an 11th successive match win.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


10th seed Petra Kvitova won the Madrid Open title for the third time on Saturday with a marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Kiki Bertens

Czech 10th seed Petra Kvitova won the Madrid Open title for the third time on Saturday with a marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. Kvitova, who was also the champion in Madrid in 2011 and 2015, has now claimed four titles in 2018 after triumphs in St Petersburg, Doha and last weekend in Prague. Victory, on a chilly, damp night in the Spanish capital, took Kvitova two hours and 51 minutes against a gutsy, unseeded Bertens who had knocked out former world number ones Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki on her way to the championship match. In a big-hitting, roller-coaster of a final, Kvitova claimed her 24th career title on the back of 39 winners and 58 unforced errors. Bertens, who had won five of her previous six finals, including on clay in Charleston earlier this year, led 4-2 with a break in the first set before Kvitova roared back, retrieving the break in the next game. The Czech claimed the 74-minute opener on a third set point. Bertens carved out the only break in the seventh game of the second set to level the contest. She then fell 2-4 down in the decider before bravely hitting straight back but in a thrilling finale, Kvitova dug deep to break again for 5-3 before a love service hold gave her victory and an 11th successive match win.

Petra Kvitova clinches Madrid Open title

<p>Two-time champion Petra Kvitova reached the Madrid Open final once again on Friday with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Czech compatriot Karolina Pliskova.</p>

<p>Kvitova, the 2011 and 2015 champion in the Spanish capital, also stretched her current winning run to 10 matches.</p>

<p>The left-handed 10th seed will face Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, who knocked out Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 6-2, in Saturday's final.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem defeated world number one Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open and also ended Nadal's 21-match unbeaten run on clay.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently Nadal broke John McEnroe's 34-year record by winning his 50th consecutive set on clay.</p>

<p>31-year-old Rafael Nadal had set a new record of 50 consecutive set wins on a single surface on Thursday after defeating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-4 in the previous round.</p>

<p>Defending champion had not dropped a set on clay since losing to Thiem in 2017 and now after 357 days, it is no one other than Dominic Thiem who finally ended Nadal's winning streak.</p>


Two-time champion Petra Kvitova reached the Madrid Open final once again with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Czech compatriot Karolina Pliskova

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova reached the Madrid Open final once again on Friday with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Czech compatriot Karolina Pliskova. Kvitova, the 2011 and 2015 champion in the Spanish capital, also stretched her current winning run to 10 matches. The left-handed 10th seed will face Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, who knocked out Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 6-2, in Saturday's final. On the other hand, Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem defeated world number one Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open and also ended Nadal's 21-match unbeaten run on clay. Recently Nadal broke John McEnroe's 34-year record by winning his 50th consecutive set on clay. 31-year-old Rafael Nadal had set a new record of 50 consecutive set wins on a single surface on Thursday after defeating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-4 in the previous round. Defending champion had not dropped a set on clay since losing to Thiem in 2017 and now after 357 days, it is no one other than Dominic Thiem who finally ended Nadal's winning streak.

Petra Kvitova outplays Karolina Pliskova to enter finals of Madrid Open

<p>Petra Kvitova won her third title of the year as she fought back from a set down to beat Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 4-6 6-2 6-3 in the Prague Open final on Saturday.</p>

<p>The Czech second seed got off to a flying start and took a 4-1 lead in the opening set but Buzarnescu battled back to break Kvitova's dominance, winning the next five games to clinch the set.</p>

<p>Kvitova roared back in front of a raucous home crowd, using her powerful forehand to pin Buzarnescu back in the second set and broke the Romanian's serve three times to force a decider.</p>

<p>The two-times Wimbledon champion, who has missed the Prague event last year due to a hand injury, maintained her momentum to win her home tournament in her first appearance in it.</p>

<p>The 28-year-old left-hander added to her triumphs in Petersburg and Doha this season.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An emotional <a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a> addresses the ?? faithful! <a href="https://t.co/VAY5xpg2Rn">pic.twitter.com/VAY5xpg2Rn</a></p>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/992733302904668160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 May 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Buzarnescu fell to a second WTA final defeat after losing out at the Hobart International final to Belgian Elise Mertens.</p>

<p>World number 10 Kvitova has little time to celebrate as she plays Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko in the Madrid Open first round on Sunday, two weeks before the start of the French Open.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a> is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PragueOpen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PragueOpen</a> champion!<br />
<br />
Comes from behind to beat Buzarnescu 4-6, 6-2, 6-3! <a href="https://t.co/F0v6PM7VYf">pic.twitter.com/F0v6PM7VYf</a></p>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/992727886258888705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 May 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Czech it out!<a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a> shows off her third ? of 2018! <a href="https://t.co/7koUv5Hw9l">pic.twitter.com/7koUv5Hw9l</a></p>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/992733714546278400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 May 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp</p>


Petra Kvitova won her third title of the year as she fought back from a set down to beat Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 4-6 6-2 6-3 in the Prague Open

Petra Kvitova won her third title of the year as she fought back from a set down to beat Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 4-6 6-2 6-3 in the Prague Open final on Saturday. The Czech second seed got off to a flying start and took a 4-1 lead in the opening set but Buzarnescu battled back to break Kvitova's dominance, winning the next five games to clinch the set. Kvitova roared back in front of a raucous home crowd, using her powerful forehand to pin Buzarnescu back in the second set and broke the Romanian's serve three times to force a decider. The two-times Wimbledon champion, who has missed the Prague event last year due to a hand injury, maintained her momentum to win her home tournament in her first appearance in it. The 28-year-old left-hander added to her triumphs in Petersburg and Doha this season. An emotional @Petra_Kvitova addresses the ?? faithful! pic.twitter.com/VAY5xpg2Rn — WTA (@WTA) 5 May 2018 × Buzarnescu fell to a second WTA final defeat after losing out at the Hobart International final to Belgian Elise Mertens. World number 10 Kvitova has little time to celebrate as she plays Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko in the Madrid Open first round on Sunday, two weeks before the start of the French Open. .@Petra_Kvitova is #PragueOpen champion! Comes from behind to beat Buzarnescu 4-6, 6-2, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/F0v6PM7VYf — WTA (@WTA) 5 May 2018 × Czech it out!@Petra_Kvitova shows off her third ? of 2018! pic.twitter.com/7koUv5Hw9l — WTA (@WTA) 5 May 2018 ×

Petra Kvitova beat Mihaela Buzarnescu to win first Prague title

<p>Petra Kvitova moved a step closer to winning a second title of the year when she beat China's Zhang Shuai 7-6(6) 6-0 in the semi-finals of the Prague Open on Friday.</p>

<p>The Czech, who is competing in her home tournament for the first time, faces Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu in Saturday's final.</p>

<p>Zhang held her own in an evenly contested first set against two-times Wimbledon champion Kvitova and even led 5-1 in the tiebreak before her 28-year-old opponent settled into her stride.</p>

<p>Kvitova struck three winners as she roared back to claim the set and shatter Zhang's confidence.</p>

<p>The second seed wrapped up the match in an hour 18 minutes, sealing the victory with a near-flawless second set in which she struck 15 winners and made three unforced errors.</p>

<p>"After the first set I was extremely calm, I was feeling very good and I believed in myself," Kvitova said courtside.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a> reaches the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PragueOpen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PragueOpen</a> final on her tournament debut! ??<br />
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Defeats Zhang Shuai 7-6, 6-0! <a href="https://t.co/1H9hT0vqxy">pic.twitter.com/1H9hT0vqxy</a></p>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/992350267357126656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kvitova, who is vying for her second title of the year after winning the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy in February, will take on seventh-seed Buzarnescu, who came back to beat Italy's Camila Giorgi 4-6 6-3 7-5 in the other semi-final.</p>

<p>In a marathon encounter lasting two hours and 25 minutes, Buzarnescu found herself on the back foot for extended periods thanks to Giorgi's raw power but clung before making her superior shot selection count.</p>

<p>She won while receiving, as Giorgi sent her to serve to crash into the net for her eighth double fault of the match.</p>

<p>"I was so happy I was able to win - it's a lot of stress because I have my birthday today," said Buzarnescu, who turned 30. "I never stopped believing."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Petra_Kvitova</a>'s debut in Prague continues!<br />
<br />
Seals first quarterfinal slot--> <a href="https://t.co/cQf940TRt8">https://t.co/cQf940TRt8</a> <a href="https://t.co/djWvz4zg6H">pic.twitter.com/djWvz4zg6H</a></p>
— WTA (@WTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTA/status/991633973842513920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Petra Kvitova moved a step closer to winning a second title of the year when she beat China's Zhang Shuai 7-6(6) 6-0 in the semi-finals

Petra Kvitova moved a step closer to winning a second title of the year when she beat China's Zhang Shuai 7-6(6) 6-0 in the semi-finals of the Prague Open on Friday. The Czech, who is competing in her home tournament for the first time, faces Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu in Saturday's final. Zhang held her own in an evenly contested first set against two-times Wimbledon champion Kvitova and even led 5-1 in the tiebreak before her 28-year-old opponent settled into her stride. Kvitova struck three winners as she roared back to claim the set and shatter Zhang's confidence. The second seed wrapped up the match in an hour 18 minutes, sealing the victory with a near-flawless second set in which she struck 15 winners and made three unforced errors. "After the first set I was extremely calm, I was feeling very good and I believed in myself," Kvitova said courtside. .@Petra_Kvitova reaches the #PragueOpen final on her tournament debut! ?? Defeats Zhang Shuai 7-6, 6-0! pic.twitter.com/1H9hT0vqxy — WTA (@WTA) May 4, 2018 × Kvitova, who is vying for her second title of the year after winning the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy in February, will take on seventh-seed Buzarnescu, who came back to beat Italy's Camila Giorgi 4-6 6-3 7-5 in the other semi-final. In a marathon encounter lasting two hours and 25 minutes, Buzarnescu found herself on the back foot for extended periods thanks to Giorgi's raw power but clung before making her superior shot selection count. She won while receiving, as Giorgi sent her to serve to crash into the net for her eighth double fault of the match. "I was so happy I was able to win - it's a lot of stress because I have my birthday today," said Buzarnescu, who turned 30. "I never stopped believing." .@Petra_Kvitova's debut in Prague continues! Seals first quarterfinal slot--> https://t.co/cQf940TRt8 pic.twitter.com/djWvz4zg6H — WTA (@WTA) May 2, 2018 ×

Petra Kvitova beat Zhang Shua to enter finals of Prague Open

<p>Petra Kvitova put Czech Republic into the Fed Cup final with a convincing victory over Angelique Kerber of Germany that gave the 10-time champions an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the tie in Stuttgart on Sunday.</p>

<p>Kvitova, twice Wimbledon champion, struck 24 winners in a 6-2 6-2 victory over Kerber as the Czechs booked their place in the final for the sixth time in eight years.</p>

<p>"I knew I had to start very strong today and continue that throughout the game," the 28-year-old said after recording her 30th Fed Cup victory.&nbsp</p>

<p>"From the beginning of the match I knew I had all the weapons."</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, German number one Julia Goerges had dragged her country back into the tie with a 6-4 6-2 win over Karolina Pliskova.</p>

<p>Goerges needed only 27 minutes to claim the opening set before she took advantage of the first two break opportunities in the second to clinch the victory in under an hour.</p>

<p>But former world number one Kerber struggled to cope with Kvitova`s powerful groundstrokes and was broken five times as the Czechs returned to the final after a one-year absence.</p>

<p>The Czechs are undefeated in their previous five final appearances and will face either France or the U.S. in the final on Nov. 10-11.</p>


Kvitova put Czech Republic into the Fed Cup final with a convincing victory

Petra Kvitova put Czech Republic into the Fed Cup final with a convincing victory over Angelique Kerber of Germany that gave the 10-time champions an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the tie in Stuttgart on Sunday. Kvitova, twice Wimbledon champion, struck 24 winners in a 6-2 6-2 victory over Kerber as the Czechs booked their place in the final for the sixth time in eight years. "I knew I had to start very strong today and continue that throughout the game," the 28-year-old said after recording her 30th Fed Cup victory. "From the beginning of the match I knew I had all the weapons." Earlier in the day, German number one Julia Goerges had dragged her country back into the tie with a 6-4 6-2 win over Karolina Pliskova. Goerges needed only 27 minutes to claim the opening set before she took advantage of the first two break opportunities in the second to clinch the victory in under an hour. But former world number one Kerber struggled to cope with Kvitova`s powerful groundstrokes and was broken five times as the Czechs returned to the final after a one-year absence. The Czechs are undefeated in their previous five final appearances and will face either France or the U.S. in the final on Nov. 10-11.

Petra Kvitova outplays Kerber to send Czechs into Fed Cup final

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Briton Johanna Konta made convincing starts at the WTA Wuhan Open as the tournament was hit by a wave of retirements on Monday.<br />
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Three players quit mid-match, taking the tally to five in just two days at the Chinese tournament, which is also missing injured world number two Serena Williams.<br />
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Kvitova served six aces, mirrored by her teenage opponent&#39;s six double faults, to sweep to a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.<br />
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&quot;The beginning of the match was just terrible. Afterwards, I was just more relaxed and more confident,&quot; the Czech player told reporters.<br />
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&quot;I think the key was kind of attacking her second serve,&quot; she added.<br />
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Meanwhile, Konta eased past German Annika Beck 6-2, 6-1 to get her campaign off to a flying start.<br />
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&quot;She fought all the way through and we had a lot of close games so I don&#39;t think the scoreline quite reflects the level of the match,&quot; Konta said after the match.<br />
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The Australian Open semi-finalist will meet Zhang Shuai of China, who beat compatriot Peng Shuai in three tightly fought sets 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4.<br />
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The pair last met in Melbourne, where Konta halted qualifier Zhang&#39;s fairy-tale run in the quarter finals.<br />
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&quot;We had a great match at the Australian Open and I haven&#39;t played her since so I think it will be a great battle,&quot; Konta said.<br />
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But Britain&#39;s Heather Watson, Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova all joined the injury list as they retired from their first-round matches.<br />
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The late-season tournament, which comes just two weeks after the year&#39;s final Grand Slam, the US Open, also saw five retirements last year, including in the final.<br />
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Monday&#39;s pull-outs enabled American Madison Brengle, Yulia Putintseva of Kazakstan and Japan&#39;s Misaki Doi to progress to the second round with unexpected ease.<br />
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Kvitova levelled her season&#39;s score with Ostapenko, who beat the Olympic bronze medallist twice at the beginning of the year, before the Czech ousted her at the US Open.<br />
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Illness hampered the start of the 26-year-old Kvitova&#39;s season, which also saw her split with her coach of seven years David Kotyza, and she has slipped to 16th in the rankings, her lowest in five years.<br />
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But she won her first Olympic medal at Rio, losing in the semi-finals to eventual gold medallist Monica Puig before beating American Madison Keys for the third podium spot.<br />
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Wimbledon quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova took three sets to beat French qualifier Alize Cornet 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 and next faces German Laura Siegemund.<br />
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(AFP)

Three players quit mid-match, taking the tally to five in just two days at the Chinese tournament

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Briton Johanna Konta made convincing starts at the WTA Wuhan Open as the tournament was hit by a wave of retirements on Monday. Three players quit mid-match, taking the tally to five in just two days at the Chinese tournament, which is also missing injured world number two Serena Williams. Kvitova served six aces, mirrored by her teenage opponent's six double faults, to sweep to a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Latvian Jelena Ostapenko. "The beginning of the match was just terrible. Afterwards, I was just more relaxed and more confident," the Czech player told reporters. "I think the key was kind of attacking her second serve," she added. Meanwhile, Konta eased past German Annika Beck 6-2, 6-1 to get her campaign off to a flying start. "She fought all the way through and we had a lot of close games so I don't think the scoreline quite reflects the level of the match," Konta said after the match. The Australian Open semi-finalist will meet Zhang Shuai of China, who beat compatriot Peng Shuai in three tightly fought sets 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4. The pair last met in Melbourne, where Konta halted qualifier Zhang's fairy-tale run in the quarter finals. "We had a great match at the Australian Open and I haven't played her since so I think it will be a great battle," Konta said. But Britain's Heather Watson, Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova all joined the injury list as they retired from their first-round matches. The late-season tournament, which comes just two weeks after the year's final Grand Slam, the US Open, also saw five retirements last year, including in the final. Monday's pull-outs enabled American Madison Brengle, Yulia Putintseva of Kazakstan and Japan's Misaki Doi to progress to the second round with unexpected ease. Kvitova levelled her season's score with Ostapenko, who beat the Olympic bronze medallist twice at the beginning of the year, before the Czech ousted her at the US Open. Illness hampered the start of the 26-year-old Kvitova's season, which also saw her split with her coach of seven years David Kotyza, and she has slipped to 16th in the rankings, her lowest in five years. But she won her first Olympic medal at Rio, losing in the semi-finals to eventual gold medallist Monica Puig before beating American Madison Keys for the third podium spot. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Dominika Cibulkova took three sets to beat French qualifier Alize Cornet 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 and next faces German Laura Siegemund. (AFP)

Kvitova, Konta win as retirements rock Wuhan Open

Former Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova and Samantha Stosur were unfazed by opening-day weather delays, cruising into the second round of the WTA hardcourt tournament in Montreal on Monday.<br />
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Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, seeded 12th, needed just 59 minutes to get past Poland&#39;s Magda Linette 6-1, 6-2.<br />
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The Czech, who won her first North American hardcourt title in Montreal in 2012, didn&#39;t face a break point against the young Pole, who pushed former world number one Venus Williams to three sets in Stanford last week.&nbsp;Kvitova, playing her first tournament since Wimbledon, broke Linette twice in each set and finished her off with an ace.<br />
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Former US Open champion Stosur, seeded 13th, had to work a little harder to dispatch Britain&#39;s Heather Watson 7-5, 6-3.&nbsp;After some first-set struggles, however, she broke Watson three times in the second to wrap up the win.<br />
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&quot;To get through in straight sets, I&#39;m pretty happy,&quot; the Australian said. &quot;Overall I thought I served pretty well. There weren&#39;t a lot of points off my serve where she could dictate off the first shot.&quot;<br />
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A string of rain delays stopped play for a total of four hours.&nbsp;Organisers eventually pushed the scheduled last match of the night, between Canadian Francoise Abanda and Chinese qualifier Zheng Saisai, to today.<br />
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The only other seed in action, 17th-seeded Elina Svitolina, advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Jennifer Brady.<br />
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The top eight seeds, now led by second-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany after the late injury withdrawal of world number one Serena Williams, have first round byes.<br />
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Croatia&#39;s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni booked a second-round meeting with Wimbledon finalist Kerber, with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Japan&#39;s Nao Hibino.<br />
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Britain&#39;s Naomi Broady beat Puerto Rico&#39;s Monica Puig 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to line up a clash with third-seeded French Open champion Garbine Muguruza who was installed at the top of the revised draw after Williams pulled out with inflammation in her shoulder.<br />
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(AFP)

Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbeldon champion, won her first North American hardcourt title in Montreal back in 2012

Former Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova and Samantha Stosur were unfazed by opening-day weather delays, cruising into the second round of the WTA hardcourt tournament in Montreal on Monday. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, seeded 12th, needed just 59 minutes to get past Poland's Magda Linette 6-1, 6-2. The Czech, who won her first North American hardcourt title in Montreal in 2012, didn't face a break point against the young Pole, who pushed former world number one Venus Williams to three sets in Stanford last week. Kvitova, playing her first tournament since Wimbledon, broke Linette twice in each set and finished her off with an ace. Former US Open champion Stosur, seeded 13th, had to work a little harder to dispatch Britain's Heather Watson 7-5, 6-3. After some first-set struggles, however, she broke Watson three times in the second to wrap up the win. "To get through in straight sets, I'm pretty happy," the Australian said. "Overall I thought I served pretty well. There weren't a lot of points off my serve where she could dictate off the first shot." A string of rain delays stopped play for a total of four hours. Organisers eventually pushed the scheduled last match of the night, between Canadian Francoise Abanda and Chinese qualifier Zheng Saisai, to today. The only other seed in action, 17th-seeded Elina Svitolina, advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Jennifer Brady. The top eight seeds, now led by second-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany after the late injury withdrawal of world number one Serena Williams, have first round byes. Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni booked a second-round meeting with Wimbledon finalist Kerber, with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Japan's Nao Hibino. Britain's Naomi Broady beat Puerto Rico's Monica Puig 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to line up a clash with third-seeded French Open champion Garbine Muguruza who was installed at the top of the revised draw after Williams pulled out with inflammation in her shoulder. (AFP)

Kvitova, Stosur advance in WTA hardcourt tournament

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