Emotional Kvitova wins ‘twice’ on French Open return
First woman top seed to crash out in first round of French Open in the Open Era; Kvitova makes winning comeback
Angelique Kerber has not been playing at all like someone ranked No. 1 this season, and on Sunday she became the first woman seeded No. 1 to lose in the French Open’s first round in the professional era.
Kerber, who ended Serena Williams’ stay atop the WTA rankings last year, was gone from Roland Garros by lunchtime on Day 1, putting up little resistance while being beaten 6-2, 6-2 by 40th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.
“Well,” Makarova said when informed of the history made by her victory, “that’s unbelievable.”
Kerber won the Australian Open and US Open, and was the Wimbledon runner-up, in 2016, surging to the heights of tennis. But this year has been much more of a struggle: The German has a 19-13 record, losing 4 of her past 6 matches.
Her strokes were off all match against Makarova, who has reached two major semifinals, but never been past the fourth round in Paris. Makarova even pointed out that she never before had played a singles match in the tournament’s main stadium (she was the 2013 French Open women’s doubles champion).
Kerber had only four winners and 12 unforced errors in the first set and didn’t even earn a break point until the last game, which Makarova won, anyway. Makarova then raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set.
Kerber showed some signs of
Petra Kvitova said Sunday’s first-round victory at the French Open felt like winning twice as the Czech star made an emotional return from a harrowing knife attack at her home in December.
The two-time Wimbledon champion swept aside American Julia Boserup in her first match since suffering career-threatening injuries to her left playing hand when she tackled an intruder at her home in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov.
“I came here as a winner already,” said Kvitova, who returned to action at Roland Garros after almost six months out.
“When we were thinking about playing here I told my coaches I wanted to come and win my first match. That was a dream. The motivation I had today was amazing -- and I really just didn’t want to lose.
“This match was special to me. I won for the second time, if I can say that.” Kvitova was left fighting to save her career after the attack, admitting earlier in the week that her hand was “still not 100%”.
However, the 15th seed won the opening point of the match with a sweeping cross-court forehand to set the tone for a convincing victory in just 74 minutes over world number 86 Boserup.
“The first point was amazing. I surprised myself with the forehand winner straightaway. It felt
I played well after six months off. I’m happy with the game, of course, but I mean, it wasn’t really about the game today.
weird but great, as well.
“It wasn’t really about the game. I mean, I had big motivation, and I know that I was going to do everything I can even if I should just run from side to side to win it. The 27-year-old received a warm welcome on Phillipe Chatrier court. She initially kept her emotions in check before finally shedding a few tears after sealing her place in round two.
“My team was there. My family was there. Everyone who helped me through the difficult time. So it was a real pleasure to play in front of them and play how I played,” said Kvitova,