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Petra Kvitova shows class as she powers past Mona Barthel at Wimbledon Wimbledon 2014: Petra Kvitova shows class as she powers past Mona Barthel
(about 2 hours later)
The former champion Petra Kvitova sent out a clear message that she will be a threat for the title again this year as she raced into the third round with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Mona Barthel of Germany. The 2011 champion Petra Kvitova sent out a clear message that she will be a threat for the title again this year as she raced into the third round with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Mona Barthel of Germany.
The Czech, who has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the past four years and who won the title in 2011, had too much power and too much class for the world No59 and now plays the five-times winner Venus Williams in round three. The Czech, who has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the past four years, had too much power and too much class for the world No59 and now plays the five-times winner Venus Williams in round three.
“I felt pretty good on the court,” she said. “Grass is my favourite surface and there are a lot of nice memories for me here from 2011. That gives me a lot of confidence. To win a grand slam, especially here at Wimbledon, is great and when I am here it’s nice memories every time.”“I felt pretty good on the court,” she said. “Grass is my favourite surface and there are a lot of nice memories for me here from 2011. That gives me a lot of confidence. To win a grand slam, especially here at Wimbledon, is great and when I am here it’s nice memories every time.”
Kvitova came on to the court with her right thigh strapped, protection against a tight hamstring, but it did not seem to hamper her and from 1-2 in the first set she reeled off 11 straight games. Not even a Hawk-Eye glitch in the final game as she served for victory could knock her out of her stride and the 24-year-old completed a dominant and impressive victory.Kvitova came on to the court with her right thigh strapped, protection against a tight hamstring, but it did not seem to hamper her and from 1-2 in the first set she reeled off 11 straight games. Not even a Hawk-Eye glitch in the final game as she served for victory could knock her out of her stride and the 24-year-old completed a dominant and impressive victory.
There is not much middle ground with Kvitova; when she is on, she looks like the best player in the world, with natural power and outstanding timing; when she’s not, the wheels can come off, fast. But Wimbledon’s grass courts are perfect for her game style and she may take some stopping from here on. There is not much middle ground with the left-handed Kvitova; when she is on she looks like the best player in the world, with natural power and outstanding timing; when she’s not, the wheels can come off, fast. But Wimbledon’s grass courts are perfect for her game style and she may take some stopping from here on.
In the past, her movement has been an issue but Kvitova looks leaner and her court coverage was vastly improved. She also showed a desire to come forward, winning 10 of 11 points when she did so.In the past, her movement has been an issue but Kvitova looks leaner and her court coverage was vastly improved. She also showed a desire to come forward, winning 10 of 11 points when she did so.
Kvitova said the hamstring was improving all the time but said she would need to step up another gear against Williams. “Venus is a great champion and she likes to play on the grass as well but she’ll be a tough opponent for me,” she said.Kvitova said the hamstring was improving all the time but said she would need to step up another gear against Williams. “Venus is a great champion and she likes to play on the grass as well but she’ll be a tough opponent for me,” she said.