Varvara Gracheva came back from one set down to beat two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Kvitova was playing the second tournament of her come-back after giving birth to her son Petr.
Kvitova returned last week from an 18-month maternity leave in Austin, where she she lost to Jodie Burrage in the first round.
Gracheva clinched her first win over Kvitova, who beat her French rival 7-5 7-6 (7-5) in the 2023 Miami fourth round.
Gracheva has achieved her first win in Indian Wells since reaching the Round of 16 two years ago.
Kvitova hit 13 winners to 15 unforced errors, but she struck just seven winners in the second and third sets. Kvitova broke serve in the third game of the first set to take a 2-1 lead. Gracheva broke straight back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Kvitova converted her third break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Gracheva pulled back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Kvitova earned her third break in the ninth game and held serve at love in the next game to win the first set 6-4.
Gracheva broke serve in the sixth game to win the second set 6-4.
The third set started with three breaks of serve. Gracheva broke twice in the first and third games to take a 2-1 lead. Kvitova won three consecutive games from 1-3 down in the third set to take a 4-3 lead. Gracheva won three consecutive games, including a break in the ninth game and two service holds to wrap up the second set 6-3.
Gracheva set up a second round match against Mirra Andreeva, who beat three Grand Slam winners in Dubai en route to becoming the youngest ever WTA 1000 champion.
“If you let me step back a little bit, I really want to congratulate her. Because she had a child quite recently, and I’m so happy that she now has the role of a mother and a tennis player, which is very demanding. It’s very inspiring for sports, athletes, women — it’s just amazing. Petra, my admiration to you — you’re the best!”, said Gracheva in the post-match interview.
Caroline Garcia beat US wild card Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-4 to set up a second round match against defending champion Iga Swiatek.
