Petra Kvitova returned to the Roland Garros semifinals for the first time in eight years on Wednesday after beating Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3, describing Roland Garros as her « place lucky «
Czech seventh seed Kvitova, two-time Wimbledon champion, will face Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin or Danielle Collins for a place in Saturday’s final
« It means a lot to be back in the semi-finals, » said Kvitova, 30, who was beaten by eventual champion Maria Sharapova when she made the same stage in 2012
« After my last match, I was very moved to be in the quarter-finals Now I’m in the semi-final I never imagined that would happen after everything that happened
Kvitova made her comeback in Paris in 2017 after spending six months recovering from a terrifying knife attack at her home in December 2016
The frenzied onslaught required four hours of surgery and left her with damaged ligaments in her playful hand Doctors warned her that her career may be over
On Wednesday, Kvitova sacked 22 winners and six aces ahead of Siegemund, 32, the world number 66 who was playing in the quarter-finals of a Slam for the first time
One serve break in the opener was enough for Kvitova while five more breaks followed in the second set
Kvitova, who has yet to lose a set in the tournament, took the win when Siegemund served a third double fault of the draw
« I am happy to be here and to be able to compete with the best especially in these conditions – open roof, closed roof, sun, windy »
Fourth seeded Kenin, 21, developed a knack for getting out of trouble in Paris, twice recovering from failure en route to the bottom eight
In her last 16 wins against Fiona Ferro, she has overcome a first-set blip and a partisan crowd, displaying steely resilience while taking her game to another level
The 21-year-old says she needs to ‘step up’ again after reaching the quarter-finals of a major for the second time, but she has a fondness for Paris after knocking out Serena Williams on his way to the last 16 in 2019
Collins, 26, is late after taking the university route in the United States, twice winning the national singles title from Virgina
« I know what it’s like to have $ 50 in my bank account and worry about being able to get to the next place I need to go I know what it’s like to be in a Greyhound bus, ”Collins said
« I think it’s those experiences that give us the strength to come out on the court and play so hard in times of high pressure »
She is another seasoned player, rallying especially after a double break in the last set to eliminate 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza in the third round
Collins, 57th, who fired an impressive 140 winners in four rounds, defeated Kenin in straight sets at Adelaine earlier this year and aims to tie his run to the semifinals of the 2019 Australian Open
Thursday’s other semi-final will see 19-year-old Polish Iga Swiatek take on Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska, the world number 131 who wants to become the first qualifier to reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament
French Open, Petra Kvitová, Laura Siegemund, Sofia Kenin, Tennis, Novak Djokovic
News from the world – UA – « C’est ma chance »: Kvitova back in half -final of Roland Garros after eight years
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
