Angelique
Kerber 7-6 (12-10), 5-7, 4-6 Petra Kvitova (Wuhan Open R3)
Kerber
came into the match as the big favourite, especially when she just won the US
Open and became the World No.1, defeating Kvitova along the way. This was
Kerber’s first tournament as the new World No.1, and she would want to cement
her position at the top with a strong showing in Wuhan.
Kerber
started the match very well, breaking Kvitova’s strong serve in the marathon
opening game which lasted for around 12 minutes. Kvitova broke back
immediately, and the set was on serve until 3-2 when Kvitova broke serve once
again to lead 4-2. None of the players could consolidate their break as Kerber
immediately broke back with some amazing defence and unforced errors by
Kvitova. Kvitova almost managed to take the set at 6-5 with Kerber serving, but
Kerber saved set point by hitting a wonderful backhand down the line shot while
squatting. The set then went to a tiebreak when Kerber managed to shrug off the
pressure and hold her serve. The tiebreak was equally as tense as set points
came and went for both players. Both players failed to convert on their set
point opportunities, and Kvitova was once again very close to taking the set
when she hit a good sliced serve, but Kerber hit an even better forehand down
the line shot to force an error out of Kvitova to save set point and make it
10-10. Kerber finally won the set when Kvitova hit a return wide, gifting the
set to Kerber after 1 hours and 28 minutes of action.
Kvitova
took the lead early in the second set, leading by a break all the way until
5-4, when she served for the set. Kerber took advantage of the unforced errors
hit by Kvitova and managed to break back for 5-5, keeping her in the hunt of a
straight sets win. However, Kvitova broke back immediately to once again take
the lead with some strong returns off Kerber’s second serves. Kvitova then
finally won the set when Kerber hit an unforced error when trying to hit a
forehand down the line winner.
Kvitova
once again started the set well, breaking Kerber’s serve immediately at the
start of the set. Both players then exchanged service holds, with Kvitova
keeping her lead intact. Kerber had many chances to break back and keep the
match level, but she failed to convert on all her break point opportunities.
However, she still managed to come up with magical shots like the running
passing backhand shot winner she hit at 2-3 30-30 to have a break point
opportunity. In Kvitova’s service game at 4-3, Kerber once again had break
point opportunity after a 41-shot rally that lasted for about 1 minute which
ended with a backhand smash into the net. Kvitova managed hold her service the
toughest way possible, saving break points and going against Kerber’s stubborn
defence to lead 5-3 and be a game away from winning. Kerber held her serve
comfortably to lessen the deficit, but Kvitova’s serve proved to be too strong
for Kerber and she successfully served out the match after 3 hours and 20
minutes of play.
Kerber
|
Kvitova
|
|
Aces
|
0
|
5
|
DFs
|
8
|
11
|
1st Serve
|
64%
|
62%
|
1st Serve Won
|
61%
|
64%
|
2nd Serve Won
|
39%
|
42%
|
Break Points
|
5/22 (23%)
|
7/17 (41%)
|
Winners
|
22
|
54
|
Unforced Errors
|
31
|
61
|
Points Won
|
142
|
152
|