Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitová survived a tough first set to beat Kristina Mladenovic 7-5 6-2 to reach the last 32 at Wimbledon.
The Czech Republican won the last four games of the opening set as she moved into the third round of Wimbledon yet again.
After a good start, Mladenovic couldn’t maintain her high-quality level of play as she lost convincingly in the end to the former champion.
Next up for Kvitová is either 25th seed Amanda Anisimova or Magda Linette.
It was a slow start from Kvitová as it was first-strike tennis of the highest quality as Mladenovic got the early break in the opening set.
The doubles world number one proved to be tough to break down early on as she showed great power on serve and depth on her groundstrokes.
Although the 6th seed wasn’t playing badly, she just couldn’t make enough returns to trouble Mladenovic who continued to power past Kvitová.
However if there is one element of Mladenovic’s game that needs work, it’s her mental strength and that weakness was on show towards the end of the opening set.
Unable to convert set points, Mladenovic felt the nerves as on break point down she produced a double fault to hand the break back.
A roar came from Kvitová’s mouth as she seemed fired up and sensed an opportunity to deliver a big blow to her opponent.
As all good champions do, the 29 year-old capitalised on her opponent’s lack of first serves as four games in a row sealed the set for Kvitová.
Petra Kvitova just showed champion quality to come back and take that first set👌 #wimbledon #bbctennis pic.twitter.com/3lDowPOo9N
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 4, 2019
Not looking content with the first set, Kvitová got the early break in the fourth game as she defended the ball so well and produced deep returns which troubled Mladenovic.
After letting her first set lead slip, there was no way back for the Frenchwoman as eight double faults in the match lead to a second break conceded in the set and therefore the match.
A win that will give Kvitová’s hopes of a third Wimbledon title a big boost after surviving a tough first set against a good opponent like Mladenovic.
Next up for the 6th seed is either 17 year-old rising star Amanda Anisimova or Poland’s Magda Linette.
