Business as usual as Kvitova fairytale ends

Emotional return cut short as American wins second-round clash

Petra Kvitova is looking forward to it being business as usual after her comeback ended with defeat in the second round of the French Open.

The two-time Wimbledon champion made an emotional return to tennis on Sunday with victory over Julia Boserup five months after she was stabbed by an intruder.

The result was secondary, with Kvitova and her doctors having feared she would never play professionally again, but the Czech was much closer to her best level than had been expected.

Kvitova looked in good shape again early on against Bethanie Mattek-Sands in round two, but the American fought back to win 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5).

Kvitova had led 3-1 in the opening set with points for 4-1 and flung her racket in annoyance after serving a double fault on match point.

But Kvitova leaves Paris with far more positive feelings than negative and could yet be a major force on grass, her favourite surface.

The Czech said: “It’s weird. I’m disappointed, for sure. I came here to win matches. But I really fought. After the match, I didn’t feel that bad as normally I probably do. I’m still happy I’m here and playing.

“The fairytale ended. Now, in upcoming weeks, I think it will be business as usual. That’s what I’m looking forward to, just focusing on the tennis and on the game and everything I need to do to improve my game.”

Kvitova has not yet decided on her grass-court schedule leading up to Wimbledon, with the priority being to ensure her hand continues to recover.

There was an interested spectator on Court Philippe Chatrier as Serena Williams dropped by Roland Garros to watch sister Venus. The 23-time grand slam champion, who is expecting her first child in the autumn, headed to her apartment in Paris after attending the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend.

And there was plenty for the Williams family to cheer as 10th seed Venus eased to a 6-3 6-1 win over Kurumi Nara.

Defending champion Garbine Muguruza continued to pick her way through a nightmare draw with a terrific 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-2 victory over Anett Kontaveit.

The Estonian has been one of the revelations of the clay-court season and had Muguruza in all sorts of trouble at a set and a break down. But the Spaniard powered her way to victory and next meets 27th seed Yulia Putintseva.

Caroline Wozniacki claimed the first double bagel of the tournament against Canada’s Francoise Abanda, but it was not a good day for Ekaterina Makarova, conqueror of top seed Angelique Kerber in round one but knocked out 6-2 6-2 by Lesia Tsurenko.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a grand slam with a 6-4 6-3 upset of sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova.

Petra Kvitova shows her frustration as a chance slips away in her defeat by Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Serena Williams turned up to cheer sister Venus on to victory