For the second time this year Petra Kvitova has fallen victim to Daria Gavrilova after losing 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the Madrid Open.
The defending champion produced an inconsistent and error-stricken performance against the Australian world No.39, who is making her debut at the Spanish tournament.
After an even start to the match by both players, it was Kvitova who was the first falter against her nemesis. A long forehand handed Gavrilova two chances to break for 5-3. The Czech managed to bring the game back to deuce with the help of some strong serving, however, a costly double fault handed her opponent another chance to break. The game was then gifted to the Australian after a backhand from Kvitova went straight into the net. There may be 33 places separating the two in the WTA rankings but Gavrilova sealed the set with ease after a serve out wide was unreturned by the match favorite.
The probability of Gavrilova grabbing her second win over the world No.6 increased at the start of the second set when the 22-year-old hit a hit a stunning forehand cross-court shot to break once again before Kvitova gave the Australian a taste of her own medicine. Despite break back, Kvitova was still playing tentatively on the court as Gavrilova increased the gap yet again to 3-1 in her favor. The second break by the Australian cemented her win as an inconsistent Kvitova failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities. The underdog got her first match point after a forehand from the defending champion went far beyond the baseline. The shock victory was then sealed after a long rally was concluded by error No.30 from the Czech.
“I think she played a very sweet match today. I just think that I couldn’t put everything together today,” Kvitova said following her win.
The two-time Wimbledon champion has also reveled that she is still suffering from the effects of a stomach problem. At last week’s Stuttgart Open she suffered a stomach strain, forcing her to miss a week of practice. The pain is subsiding for the Czech, however, it is still causing her discomfort, especially when she serves. Speaking about the problem, Kvitova is encouraged by her achievements in Madrid this week.
“I was dealing with my stomach pain from Stuttgart,” she revealed.
“I was just trying to manage it somehow without practice. I’m glad that I’ve won two matches and that the pain isn’t as bad as it was.
Check out the numbers from the #Gavrilova v #Kvitova match. Gavrilova will play the winner of Azarenka v Chirico pic.twitter.com/UvLyc3JFCA
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) 4 May 2016
The shock win gives Gavrilova her fifth victory over a top-10 player in her blossoming career (second over Kvitova). It also takes the 22-year-old to her maiden WTA Premier quarterfinal, where a potential showdown with Victoria Azarenka looms.
