Petra Kvitova’s seemingly magical Roland Garros run came to a close on Wednesday when American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Kvitova on Bull Ring in two tiebreaks, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).
Hug from Mattek-Sands and some words. #Kvitova #FrenchOpen pic.twitter.com/Uo0yKowsDk
— ً (@ashishxx_) May 31, 2017
The players exchanged breaks in the first two games. In the third game, Kvitova had two break points, which Mattek-Sands saved with a backhand half-volley winner and an unreturned serve. Mattek-Sands went on to hold for a 2-1 lead.
At 2-2, Kvitova went up 0-40. She managed to break Mattek-Sands at 15 by using her forehand to force a BMS error. Kvitova then held to love for 4-2.
Mattek-Sands, in her next service game, fought off three break points to hold. She went on to break Kvitova’s serve, evening the first frame at 4.
https://twitter.com/tumcarayol/status/869854054326951936
Four holds later, the set went to a tiebreak. Kvitova got a mini-break on the first point by crushing a crosscourt backhand return for a winner. This allowed her to get out to a 3-0 lead.
But shortly thereafter, Kvitova double-faulted, reducing her lead to 4-3 and putting the tiebreak back on serve. Mattek-Sands later hit a backhand return winner to go up 6-5. She then won the tiebreak 7-5 after Kvitova missed a forehand return long.
Mattek-Sands wins 1st set TB v Kvitova, takes absurdly long MTO, returns with thigh strapped. Kvitova sat with face in towel. Curious match
— Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) May 31, 2017
The second set had a strange start. It began with Kvitova getting broken at love on a double fault. But the Czech broke right back with a backhand winner to make it 1-1. Mattek-Sands then smashed to break Kvitova at love once again.
The set was tied at 3-3 after Mattek-Sands netted a backhand. This led to a second tiebreak, which Kvitova kicked off with an ace out wide. She then got a mini-break for 2-0. At the changeover, Kvitova led 4-2, and the match looked to be heading to a third set.
But then Kvitova double-faulted twice — the first bringing the tiebreak to 4-4, and the second making it 5-7, giving Mattek-Sands the set and the match.
But as Kvitova said pre-tournament, she’s already won her biggest fight.
