Kvitova safely through to US Open third round after beating Kozlova

Two-time Wimbledon champion and US Open 6th seed Petra Kvitova came from a break down in the opening set against Kateryna Kozlova to breeze through the second set and advance to the second round in Flushing Meadows.

Petra Kvitova believes Grand Slams without fans should not be played

Fraser Masefield

September 2, 2020

US Open second round: Kvitova d. Kozlova 7-6, 6-2
Key stats of the match: Kvitova is famous for her fearsome groundstrokes off either flank, blasting 33 winners and winning 89% of points off first serve
You will also learn: Next up for Petra is a meeting with either Kirsten Flipkens or Jessica Pegula
Why you should read this story: Kvitova is one of the favourites for the title but has never been past the QF of the US Open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nW6ebAR-E

Kvitova was surprisingly slow out of the blocks, going an early break down in the opening set and saving a set point at 4-5. But the range Czech possesses power in abundance off both flanks, and after breaking back to force a tie-break, she moved into another gear, winning the breaker 7-3 before cruising through the second 6-2.

👋 @Petra_Kvitova pic.twitter.com/IzqXXzhcf9

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2020

“It was very difficult today, especially with my nerves, I felt very tired,” said Kvitova afterward. “I couldn’t move well and couldn’t swing as I wanted, but that is a grand slam. At the beginning of a tournament it is always like this, and I’m really happy that I found a way, I really had to fight back in the first set and started to be patient, and I never played her, which was challenging as well, but I’m glad to have won and she really played a great match.”