Navratilova backs Petra to shine in Oz

‘KVITOVA REMINDS ME OF MYSELF’

FORMER world number one Martina Navratilova believes Petra Kvitova’s attacking style of play makes her one of the top contenders for next week’s Australian Open, while Venus Williams’ experience gives her the edge over the rest of the women’s field.

Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, missed the entire Australian season last year after she received a serious injury to her playing hand while fighting off a knife-wielding intruder in her home in December 2016. Despite winning a grasscourt title in Birmingham, it was not until the US Open where Kvitova looked close to reaching her top form, reaching the quarter-finals, and then going a step further with a semi-final appearance in Beijing in October.

‘I’ve always had a soft spot for Petra Kvitova — after all, she’s a Czech lefty like me — and my admiration and affection for her has only grown due to the way she has fought back to form over the last 12 months,’ Navratilova said. ‘In the absence of Serena Williams, I believe it’s entirely possible Kvitova could end up landing the title at the Australian Open... and what a story that would be. ‘Her attacking tennis brought her two Wimbledon titles, and the Plexicushion courts in Melbourne are lightning quick — like grass, only faster — so the surface should be perfect for her.’ Meanwhile, Michael Joyce, who coached Maria Sharapova to the Australian Open title 10 years ago, believes he can do the same for Jo Konta (below) whom he says shares the Russian’s qualities.

‘I’ve no doubt that with her game she can win a Grand Slam,’ he said. ‘She has a lot of characteristics like Maria. They both want it really bad and aren’t going to cut any corners to get there. So when it comes to that, it’s pretty easy for me.’

Joyce — who had a career-high ranking of 64 and once made Wimbledon’s fourth round — was hired by Britain’s Konta (left) in November after it became clear he could no longer work with former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, who is locked in a child custody battle with her former partner.