The last time #AnastasijaSevastova and #PetraKvitova met, you probably weren’t even paying attention. Eight years since their last meeting, the Latvian entered their 2019 #PorscheTennisGrandPrix quarterfinal clash with a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head record although this was their first meeting on clay.
Kvitova suffered an early scare before rebounding to claim the victory after just an hour and 32-minutes of play, triumphing with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 scoreline as she booked a blockbuster semifinal meeting with nemesis Kiki Bertens.
“Without a fight probably I already lost. Yes, the first set I started really really bad. I didn’t really feel great, I was very slow, my arm wasn’t moving at all and it was really difficult. She didn’t miss anything and I missed everything,” Kvitova mentioned during her post-match press conference. [Quotes courtesy of the WTA website]
Sevastova could not miss anything in the first set, firing three winners and committing just two unforced errors to outhit the struggling Czech, who handed out 14 free gifts in the opening frame alone. However, from there on, she completely turned the tables and could not stop hitting winners.
Through the remainder of the match, Kvitova blasted 28 winners to just seven unforced errors and despite not doing much wrong, Sevastova was simply being overpowered and was helpless against the on song second seed. Interestingly, 12 of Kvitova’s 21 unforced errors came in the opening five games of the match.
Sevastova snatches the one-sided first set
Kvitova started the match in the worst way possible as she missed all her shots by miles, and Sevastova was dictating play with her crafty shots. A woeful forehand from the world number three saw the Latvian entering the first changeover with a formidable double-break lead. After just 14 minutes, with Kvitova unable to find an opening on the return, she saw herself trailing by four games within a blink of an eye.
From there, it seemed as though Kvitova had woken up from a nightmare. She started serving much better and dominated her service games, although it was just too late to spring a comeback as Sevastova withstood an incoming surge to close out the opening set 6-2.
Kvitova replies in style
Kvitova took a much-needed bathroom break to shrug off the rustiness in the early stages and it certainly proved crucial ultimately. She started the second set with a confidence-boosting love service hold but Sevastova looked determined to close out the win in straight sets, refusing to let loose.
Having not earned a break point yet, Kvitova’s first real chance to break came in the fourth game whereby Sevastova fell behind 0-30 on serve. However, a series of solid first serves from the Latvian ruined Kvitova’s momentum and closed the comeback door on her.
Trapped in a tricky situation while serving at 2-2 40-40, it seemed as though a possible break for Sevastova would be the killer move. Fortunately, some world-class net coverage from the Czech helped her to remain in contention, and who would have expected the following?
From that point onwards, Kvitova rattled off 14 consecutive points as she broke serve consecutively for the first time in the match, taking the second set with the same scoreline as she levelled the scores before the hour mark.
Kvitova overcomes a late wobble to triumph
Thought to have all the momentum running in her, Kvitova put herself in huge danger as she conceded a break point opportunity in the opening game of the deciding set. Sevastova was unable to pounce on her chance, sending a backhand into the net as Kvitova eventually closed out the nervy game with a perfectly-placed ace
Things were getting tight and Sevastova was on course for another routine hold at 40-15 up in the fourth game, but Kvitova managed to dig for the maiden break of the decider, stunning the crowd with some pinpoint returns. Consolidating the break, the third-ranked Czech opened a commanding 4-1 lead.
Unexpectedly, Sevastova fought straight back as she displayed moments of excellence, winning eight of the last 11 points to break back and return on serve. There were more in store for the fans, as Kvitova regrouped to blast three winners and let out a huge, classic roar after reclaiming the advantage.
Serving for the win, Kvitova did not disappoint her fans and comfortably set up an intriguing clash with Kiki Bertens in the last four.
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