Petra Kvitova fought back from a set down to beat Anastasya Pavlyuchenkova 2-6 6-1 6-1 to give the Czech team the 1-0 lead after the inaugural match of the 2015 Fed Cup Final between Czech Republic and Russia at the O2 Arena in Prague.
Kvitova led 6-3 in her previous head-to-head matches against Pavlyuchenkova but six of their previous meets were decided by the third set. The Czech player won their previous clash earlier this year in Madrid.
Both players held their first two service games after eight unforced errors (five for Kvitova and three for Pavlyuchenkova). Pavlyuchenkova broke serve to love in the third game to take the 2-1 lead. The Russian player got the double break to pull away to 4-1 after a double fault and a missed volley from Kvitova.
Kvitova earned three break points at 1-4 but she failed to convert them. She held her serve for 2-5. Pavlyuchenkova served for the set and clinched the first set with a volley winner after 34 minutes. In the first set Kvitova hit six winners to 15 unforced errors
Pavlyuchenkova saved six break points in the second game of the second set. Kvitova converted her 7th break point chance in the game (the 10th in this match) before consolidating the break for 3-0. Kvitova got the double break to pull away to 4-0 before missing three set points in the sixth game. The Czech player closed out the second set with 6-1 with an ace to the delight of the O2 Arena.
Kvitova started the third set with a break of serve as Pavlyuchenkova made a backhand unforced error and a double fault. Kvitova got the double break in the fifth game to race out to 4-1 with a return winner and the 20th unforced error from Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian player has not earned a single break point since the first set. Kvitova held serve and Pavlyuchenkova served to stay in the match. Kvitova sealed the win as Pavlyuchenkova made two consecutive double faults.
Kvitova clinched the 21st win in 23 Fed Cup matches since 2011.
“It was nerves. When I stepped on the court, I was really nervous and I was tight. My legs felt really heavy and I couldn’t move well. That was the key really. It was difficult to turn it around but at the beginning of the second set I held my serve and then I was able to break her. That game was really the key to the second set and the match”, said Kvitova.
Players and fans at the O2 Arena in Prague showed their respect for the victims of the tragic events in Paris with a minute of silence.
