Kvitova, Barty Move through, Teichmann Saves 6 MPs to Stun Svitolina

April 29, 2021 c_admin Tennis News Comments Off on Kvitova, Barty Move through, Teichmann Saves 6 MPs to Stun Svitolina

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 29, 2021


 


Petra Kvitova and Ash Barty advanced, while Elina Svitolina lost in dramatic fashion at the Madrid Open on Thursday.

Photo Source: Madrid Open

Three-time champion Petra Kvitova and former champion Kiki Bertens each marched into the second round at the Madrid Open, joining Ash Barty, the title winner at last week’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Tennis Express

Kvitova, the 2011, 2015 and 2018 champion in Madrid, advanced when her compatriot Marie Bouzkova was forced to retire in the second set after she injured her right hand during a fall. Kvitova wins, 6-2, 2-3 RET.

“Unfortunately she fell over over there,” Kvitova remarked. “I didn’t know it will be like that serious actually. Normally falling down pretty often on the clay. Yeah, unfortunately I saw it afterwards. It was really bleeding.I hope that she will be okay. I think she really still played quite okay. But, yeah, I mean, in the end of the match is really tough to describe.”

Kvitova, seeded ninth, will face Angelique Kerber in the second round. The German rocked past Marketa Vondrousova, 7-6(5), 6-1.

“Actually it’s quite long time when we played each other I think as well,” Kvitova said. “I’m really looking forward to play her because, as I mentioned, is long time ago. She’s a lefty so that will be big challenge. I think she is still working very hard. That’s what I know. Still fighting and everything, even I think she doesn’t have that many matches as she wanted. I think she’s still there competing, fighting. That’s how we both will be.”

Bertens toppled 15-year-old wild card Victoria Jiminez Kasintseva, 6-4, 6-0. The 2019 Madrid champion enters the match hungry for wins. She has played just three events this season as she gradually makes her way back from Achilles tendon surgery.

Bertens improves to 102-43 on the clay in her WTA career with the win and will face Veroinika Kudermetova next.

The Russian stopped Elina Vesnina, who was making her first singles appearance since 2018 Roland-Garros via a protected ranking. Vesnina became a mother in November of 2018, and has played doubles for a few months. Today she fell 6-1, 6-4 to this year’s Volvo Car Open champion.

Teichmann Produces a Miracle

Jil Teichmann – comeback kid. The Swiss rallied from 1-5 down in the third set to defeat fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).

Tiechmann saved four match points at 2-5 down, and another two at 5-6 down.

“Honestly, I didn’t even count them,” said Teichmann afterwards. “I was just thinking, I’m 5-1 down, but every game was close – I just ended up losing them. I always believed, even down match points, that I could do it.”

The Swiss will face wild card Paula Badosa, who topped Barbora Krejcikova, 6-1, 7-6.

“It’s nice to play in front of fans and in my home crowd,” she said. “It’s amazing feeling. Of course, it’s a little bit extra motivation. A little bit extra pressure, as well, because you want to show your people and win as well because you have everyone here. It’s a lot of emotions this week. I’m happy that I could get through the first round. I have a tough second round, so I will try to rest and be ready Saturday.”

Poland’s Iga Swiatek also won easily on Thursday. Making her first appearance on the clay since storming to the Roland-Garros title, Swiatek cruised past American Alison Riske, 6-1, 6-1. Swiatek saved all four break points she faced and won more than half (27 of 50) of her return points to claim victory in 67 minutes.

Barty Party Continues

Last week a champion in Stuttgart, today a winner in Madrid. The venues—and surfaces—change, but World No.1 Ashleigh Barty keeps putting up results.

Today she eased past American Shelby Rogers, 6-2, 6-1 to book a second-round clash with Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia.

Barty had some strapping on her right shoulder but reassured reporters that she’s feeling fine.

“I’m an old body now, mate,” she said. Old and got to look after myself. No, just a little bit of support. A bit of WD-40 and we’re fine, we’re all good.”

If there was pain, it certainly didn’t affect Barty’s serving performance. The Aussie won 27 of 29 first-serve point and lost just six points on serve in total. She broke four times on six opportunities to improve to 4-0 against Barty and 5-0 against the American lifetime.