Petra Kvitova photo courtesy of Aegon Classic Birmingham
(June 21, 2017) Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova advanced into the quarterfinals of the Aegon Classic Birmingham with a 6-2 6-2 victory over British No.2 Naomi Broady at the Edgbaston Priory Club on Wednesday.
Kvitova, who was playing only her fourth match since returning to competition, said a relaxed attitude was the key. “I think I do have a clear mind, which is very important for tennis players. Everybody knows forehand and backhand and how to play, but it’s always about a few things in the match. And you can’t learn it. You just need to experience it and then play what comes into mind in that point of the match. And I think I do have a little bit different view of tennis right now. When I’m playing, I’m just a little bit more relaxed, I think, and I’m not as nervous as I was before, even before the matches.”
Broady said: “Petra is one of the best grass court players and it was a really tough match. It’s not necessarily her power, any soft ball or slow ball she nails it and you’ve got no chance.
“In terms of going forward I’m going to watch her and see what she’s doing because she makes you feel so uncomfortable on court and it’s hard to know where to hit it to not give her a winning shot.”
Thursday’s Ladies Day crowd has a packed day of tennis ahead with British No.1 Johanna Konta’s clash with big-hitting American Coco Vandeweghe among the highlights on the Ann Jones Centre Court.
Sixth seed Garbine Muguruza takes on tricky grass-court competitor Alison Riske in another of Thursday’s marquee matches, while talented Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic plays China’s Shuai Zhang for the chance to play Kvitova in Friday’s quarter-finals.
Away from the court, Ladies Day guests can also enjoy live music, food and drinks or visit the Explore Wimbledon attraction in what is forecast to be another sunny – though slightly cooler – day.
AEGON CLASSIC BIRMINGHAM – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
$885,040
JUNE 19 – 25, 2017
RESULTS – JUNE 21, 2017
Women’s
Singles – Second Round
[7] [WC] P. Kvitova (CZE) d [WC] N. Broady (GBR) 62 62
A. Barty (AUS) d [8] B. Strycova (CZE) 63 36 61
[9] D. Gavrilova (AUS) d K. Siniakova (CZE) 75 26 64
L. Safarova (CZE) d N. Osaka (JPN) 62 64
Women’s
Doubles – First Round
[2] A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) d N. Kichenok (UKR) / O. Savchuk (UKR) 63 61
S. Aoyama (JPN) / Z. Yang (CHN) d [3] G. Dabrowski (CAN) / Y. Xu (CHN) 63 60
H. Chan (TPE) / S. Zhang (CHN) d A. Cornet (FRA) / Y. Putintseva (KAZ) 57 63 10-3
R. Atawo (USA) / C. Mchale (USA) d [WC] N. Broady (GBR) / H. Watson (GBR) 62 26 10-7
ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017
ANN JONES CENTRE COURT start 11:30 am
[Q] C. Giorgi (ITA) vs [2] E. Svitolina (UKR)
[6] G. Muguruza (ESP) vs A. Riske (USA)
[5] K. Mladenovic (FRA) vs S. Zhang (CHN)
C. Vandeweghe (USA) vs [4] J. Konta (GBR)
COURT 1 start 2:00 pm
[1] L. Safarova (CZE) / B. Strycova (CZE) vs J. Cako (USA) / A. Naydenova (BUL)
R. Atawo (USA) / C. Mchale (USA) vs [2] A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO)
Not Before 4:30 pm
[4] A. Barty (AUS) / C. Dellacqua (AUS) vs D. Cibulkova (SVK) / G. Muguruza (ESP)