Petra Kvitova’s preparation for the US Open has suffered a setback after she was knocked out of the New Haven Open in straight sets by China’s Shuai Zhang.
The Czech third seed was no match for the world No.29, who strolled to the 6-2, 6-1, win after only 67 minutes of play. During the match, Kvitova hit a costly 31 unforced errors compared to just 14 winners. In contrast, a more consistent Zhang achieved a tally of 14 and 17.
“I didn’t play my best, but it’s great to be back, I love the crowd here,” Kvitova said. “She played great tonight and when she is up she is very tough. I tried different things, different slices and volleys, but nothing worked and it was tough.”
Since winning the Birmingham Open in June, Kvitova has failed to win back-to-back matches in five consecutive tournaments. During her North American tour this season, she has already suffered two losses to Sloane Stephens and one to Cici Bellis. The two-time grand slam champion returned to the tour at the French Open after recovering from a knife attack.
“I could have done better, but I’m still not 100 percent. I’m not really close to where I want to be.” She admitted. “I knew coming back it would be tough, but I didn’t realize how much you miss when you don’t play.”
As Kvitova looks ahead to New York, Zhang will next play Polish qualifier Magda Linette. Linette defeated Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-1, in her first round match.
Other seeds fall in Connecticut
Kvitova’s high-profile exit was one of a series to occur in New Haven. Kristina Mladenovic has suffered her third consecutive first round loss on the tour after being edged out 7-5, 7-5, by Timea Babos of Hungary. The Frenchwoman only managed to win 31% (11/35) of her second serves and was broken six times in the match.
“It’s always difficult to play against Kiki, I know her since we’re eight years old,” Babos said during her on-court interview. “You kind of know what to expect, but still it’s not easy, maybe mentally it’s not easy, but I’m just happy I managed it today, and we’ll see what happens later on.”
Fifth seed Elena Vesnina also lost 7-5, 7-5, to world No.124 Ana Bogdan. The Russian had 11 break point opportunities in the match, but was only able to convert two of those during the second set.
“I just played point by point. I was fighting for everything. I’m really happy I did it.” Said Bogdan, who came through three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw. “It was quite the big fight for both of us. We had long rallies, long games going there and it was quite hot.”
Former top 20 player Barbora Strycova crashed out 7-5, 6-3, to Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.
Eugenie Bouchard, who is unseeded in the draw, eased her way past Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-3. For the Canadian it will be a match that she will always remember after playing it during the solar eclipse. A moment that impressed former Wimbledon finalist Bouchard.
“It was so cool,” Bouchard said. “I said, ‘This is such a unique moment — I was able to win a match during an eclipse, it’s the only time in my career this will happen.’
“They were waiting for me on the court and I walked by someone with the glasses and I was like, ‘Hey, give me those, I’m running on the court but I need to see this because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ My coach is like, ‘Come on,’ and I’m like, ‘Dude, it’s an eclipse. I need to see it.'”
Heading into the second round of the New Haven tournament, only four seeded players remain in the draw – Agnieszka Radwanska (1), Dominika Cibulkova (2), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6) and Peng Shuai (8).
