Kvitova taps into positive reserves
‘It’s been a long ride, definitely’
PARIS • The French Open holds special memories for Petra Kvitova, not because she has won the title but because it is where she resumed her career after a knife attack that almost ended it.
Kvitova was sidelined for six months after an attack by a burglar at her home in the Czech Republic just before Christmas in 2016 that left her with severe damage to the nerves and tendons in her left hand.
She returned, ahead of schedule, at the 2017 French Open and lost in the second round, but it was a crucial moment in a return to some sort of normality for the twice Wimbledon winner.
So she admitted her 6-2, 6- 4 victory over China’s Zhang Shuai on Monday to put reach the quarter- finals for the first time in eight years was extra special.
“I got a bit emotional the last two points of my match,” the 30-year-old seventh seed told reporters.
“Everything just came back to me. It’s been a long ride, definitely.”
Almost four years after that attack, Kvitova may never have a better opportunity to add a third Grand Slam to her tally even if she is not known as a natural claycourter.
She is yet to drop a set in four rounds in Paris and faces unseeded German Laura Siegemund for a place in only her second French Open semifinal.
With so many of the top seeds having already departed, Kvitova is the biggest name left in the draw.
“I think it was a miracle for me to make the semifinal here in Roland Garros,” she said. “After eight years to be in the quarter- final again, it’s great. I’m really happy for that, that I’m still able to play on all surfaces.”
On the men’s side, top seed Novak Djokovic passed his first real test at this year’s French Open with flying colours as he battled past Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6- 4, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarter- finals for the 14 th time.
The 33- year- old claimed a fourth successive straightsets victory in his latest quest for a second French Open title, but it was nowhere near as straightforward as the score suggests.
Djokovic faced stiff resistance before taking the first set and had an anxious moment when his attempted return off one Khachanov serve ricocheted off his frame and struck a line judge in the head, reviving memories of his U. S. Open debacle.
Khachanov saved four set points at 2- 5 in the second set before Djokovic moved two sets clear.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the quarter-finals for the second time as he brushed aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 7- 6 (9), 6-2.
The Greek fifth seed was solid on serve throughout and played neatly as his Bulgarian opponent lost focus at crucial times under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.