Petra Kvitova: "Against Kudermetova was definitely tough"

At the Mutua Madrid Open 2021, Petra Kvitova defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 4-6 6-4, qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament, where she will face world and seed No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, who she defeated at third round Iga Swiatek.

The Czech tennis player embellished her success with nine aces and with a very high percentage of points with the first ball despite the empty pass in the heart of the second set.

In the press conference after the match Kvitova talked about the difficult challenge she had to face on the center court of Madrid.

Petra Kvitova: "Against Kudermetova was definitely tough"

She said: It was definitely very tough today. It almost felt like a men's match all about serving, with only one break in each set. I'm happy to have managed the match mentally, especially when I was 15-40 down in the third set and 30-30 even. The serve helped me and I'm happy with how we played, it was a good tennis."

N. 28 Kudermentova said: "It was not an easy draw for me, as it was in Stuttgart. Even though I'm a seeded player, I don't seem to be. On the other hand I saw a few early rounds here and it wasn't easy. for anyone, for this we must fight and be ready right away."

We have to recall that  the match that closed day 5, between Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek, was undoubtedly the most fascinating. On the court, the world number one against the Roland Garros 2020 champion.

Despite the initial problems, the seed no.1 cancels a 0-3 disadvantage by winning seven of the following nine games and, thanks to an early-break in the second, puts as in the logic of things, the basis for escape.

Swiatek's comeback attempt is useless, as he does not take advantage of a 0-40 situation in the sixth game and who no longer finds sufficient weapons to close the gap at the disadvantage. Fourteenth consecutive success on clay courts for Barty, who, in the quarter-finals on Thursday, will face three-time tournament champion Petra Kvitova.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3b3gL8W