Kvitova can’t pull rank on Brengle
LONDON — Madison Brengle knew Petra Kvitova was a two-time Wimbledon champion and a popular pick to win the title again this year.
Brengle also was aware that she herself never had won so much as one maindraw match at the All England Club until this week.
Winning just one game was the 95th-ranked Brengle’s focus when she began playing Wednesday on Court No. 2. But she did much more, stunning the 11th-seeded Kvitova 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to reach the third round.
The reason for Brengle’s preoccupation with taking one game? In herWimbledon debut in 2015, she lost to VenusWilliams 6-0, 6-0.
“That’s always in my head when I’m out here,” Brengle said. “That was really tough.”
She didn’t need to stress about a shutout for long — Brengle broke the strongserving Kvitova to take the very first game.
“Then I could relax,” Brengle said with a smile. “Trustme, an ‘0-and-0’ stays with you.”
Kvitova, who wonWimbledon in 2011and 2014, had been favored by some British bookmakers to lift the trophy in two weeks despite competing in only her third tournament since shewas attacked by a knifewielding intruder at her home in the Czech Republic in December. Kvitova needed surgery on her left hand, the one she uses to hold a racket.
Still without full strength in that hand, Kvitova returned at the French Open in May, losing in the second round. But then she won a grass-court title at Birmingham in June.
“I feel just really empty right now” she said.
Kvitova was one of a half-dozen seeded women to lose on Day 3, a group that also included No. 15 Elina Vesnina, No. 17Madison Keys, No. 18 Anastasija Sevastova, No. 22 Barbora Strycova and No. 25 Carla SuarezNavarro.
The action was more straightforward in the men’s draw, with straightset victories by defending champion Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, who has won the last 26 Grand Slam sets he has played. Eddie Tippetts split up, with Owen’s father and older sister Joscelin, who was starting high school, remaining in Peterborough. As it was, Owen’s parents were in the midst of a divorce; he’s still estranged from his father.
“[My mother] always drove me to practices and games, wherever I needed to be to develop my game, where I need to be a hockey player,” Tippett said. “She’s my No. 1 supporter on and off the ice. If I ever need anything, she’s the first one to help.”
ItwasTracy Tippett who looked the other way when her son would spent hours slapping pucks in the driveway, breaking windows and denting the garage door.
“It was my windows I broke, so she said, ‘It’s your luck, you got to deal with it now,’ ” smiled Tippett.
His shot became so impressive that he scored 52 goals for the Toronto Red Wings Minor Midget AAA team at 15. He moved up to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, where he met coach Dan Sullivan, who has become something of a surrogate father.
“He played hockey; he’d gone through it, so he helpedme with stuff on and off the ice,” Tippett said of Sullivan, a former ECHL player. “It’s been great to have someone like that on my side if I ever need anything.”
While at Premier in Toronto, Tippett was able to watch older classmate Connor McDavid, the NHL’s reigning MVP coming off a league-best 100-point season, display his skills.
“He was 16 or 17 when I met him,” Tippett said. “Every one of us on the ice would take a step back and say, ‘Wow!’ It’s pretty eyeopening, and it’s something you can remember and say, ‘Hey, I went to school with that kid.’ ”
NowTippett, whoscored 44 goals for Mississauga (OHL) last season, hopes to play against McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers as early as this season.
Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon said after the draft that overcoming some personal issues has made Tippett mature beyond his years. He already owns an NHL-ready shot while inhabiting a muscular 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.
Toss in the recent departure of four of Florida’s for- wards, and the door of opportunity is wide open for Tippett to land one of the 23 roster spots in October.
“We’re building a team that’s going to be around for a long time, and we’ll give him every opportunity to play this year,” Tallon said. “What we needed in our depth chart was a sniper, a guy who can score, a pure scorer, a shooter becausewe have a lot of passers and playmakers.
“I watched him play all year … and he’s got the ability to no-look and still shoot it and surprise goaltenders. That’s something we haven’t had for a while.”
Brian McCabe, the Panthers’ director of player development, was impressed by Tippett during prospects camps lastweek.
“He fit in seamlessly,” McCabe said. “He’s a good character kid, big body. Worked his butt off and took it all in, learned, had his eyes and ears open all week.
“Physically, he’ll be ready to play [this season]. We’ll have to see if he’s mentally ready to leave home. If he’s ready for that long battle, an 82-game schedule, he’ll decide that by his play.”
Panthers coach Bob Boughner, who owns the Windsor Spitfires (OHL), has followed Tippett’s career since the teenwas 13.
“He’s dynamic and has always been an unreal skater with a great release that’s obviously going to relate up here aswell,” Boughner told NHL Network radio. “The way the NHL game is going with speed, offense and pace, he’s got all three of those, so I look forward to seeing him at main camp.”
After a whirlwind month, Tippett, who’s comfortable at right or left wing, will return to Peterborough and rest before hitting the gym to add muscle. He’ll then return to the ice to work on his defensive skills, so he can give himself the best opportunity to play for the Panthers rather than return to junior.
“I just will be the person I am. I believe that’s what got me here,” Tippett said. “It’s too late to change now, on and off the ice, just keep going. Making the team should be everyone’s mindset. If you work hard enough to get it, then the odds may be on your side. If that’s the end result, I’ll be very happy.”
hfialkov@ sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @hfialkov