Kvitova wins first match since stabbing
Petra Kvitova cried after winning her first match since being stabbed during a burglary at her home in December.
The Czech, 27, looked impressive in beating American Julia Boserup 6-3, 6-2 to reach round two of the French Open.
Kvitova suffered careerthreatening injuries to her left hand in the attack, but recovered quicker than expected to play in Paris.
The two-time Wimbledon champion said: “It’s a pleasure to be here and I’m happy I made the decision to play.”
Kvitova first picked up a racquet again in March, 12 weeks after the attack, and began practising properly at the beginning of May.
She had initially targeted Wimbledon for her comeback but, despite admitting she was “still not 100% ready”, decided she was fit enough to play in France.
The 15th seed won the opening point of the match with a crosscourt forehand and only needed 74 minutes to overcome world number 86 Boserup.
Her parents Jiri and Pavla and brothers Jiri and Libor were in the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier - the main court at Roland Garros.
“Thank you for everything, you helped me through this difficult time,” said Kvitova. The third edition of the Zenith Bank Tennis Championship which came to a glittering end at the Ikoyi Club 1938 on Saturday with Godwin Kienka defeating Nishant Abbi to clinch the men’s singles Class A. Second-seeded Kienka, who also triumphed when the two met in last year’s final, had a superior tactical approach that saw him overran his much younger opponent for a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 10-5 triumph.
The Men’s B Class which had very large number of participants was won by top seed, Chris Attah, a 7-5, 6-3 victor over Kunle Ogunkoya.
Julie Allagenyi also proved the form book right by emerging the women’s singles champion; the top seed bagging a 6-3, 6-1 win over Maryann Chuks.
Bimbo Okubena paired Ishmael Nwokocha to win the men’s doubles by beating the team of Abbi and Tochukwu Adino 6-3, 6-2 while Chris Akponinu upsets top seed Walter Jibunor 2-6, 6-3, 10-5 to win the Veterans title. Jibunor was to later combined with Innocent Ihebuzor to win the Super Veterans doubles at the expense of Akponinu and Okey Ubah 6-2, 6-1.
The team event was won by Internet Banking led by Tony Unuavwhoro, who partnered Sharon Momoh to beat Bola Ayorinde and Anaele Jucian for an unassailable 3-0 lead over Easy Save in the final.
Zenith Bank Managing Director, Peter Amangbo, who was represented by Victor Adoji, the Head of Corporate Communications, commended participants for their spirit of fair play.