WIMBLEDON – Defending Champion Czech Petra Kvitova overcame her own errors to come back from a set and a break down to take out Francesca Schiavone 4-6, 7-5, 6-1Â in a battle of major champions on Monday to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
The windy conditions on Court No.3 proved problematic for both players. Kvitova could not take advantage of 10 break points in the opening set. Schiavone made 16 unforced errors in the set despite winning it.
Kvitova finally broke the Italian’s serve in the second set to even the set at 2-2 on a Schiavone double fault.
Kvitova discessed the first two sets of the match, “From the beginning of the match I didn’t had a lot of break ball and I didn’t have a very nice feelings. I mean, really it was not funny for me in that moment. I feel so bad. That’s why probably I played so bad.
“And then in the second set, in the beginning of the second set was still similar than before, but when I make the break finally after one hour or however long we played, it was better for me. I knew I can play against her and I can break her.â€
Kvitova reigned in her errors and dominated the match in the third set running up a 5-0 lead over the Italian.
Every match is different, set Kvitova. “The last matches I played so well and so quick, and today it’s about the fight. I’m so happy that I showed that. It’s important.
“Tomorrow is different day, so I hope they will be better tomorrow.â€
Kvitova will next challenge Serena Williams for a place in the semifinals.
“I think it will be huge match for both of us, Kvitova said, “and I’m looking forward to play against her. Looking forward to have a challenge. I mean, she played well. She has a great champion. She won many times here.
“We will see. I will try my best and we will see.â€