Kvitova and Berdych get 2012 off to a good start

 

Originally published on: 02/01/12 06:39

On Monday in Perth, World No.2 Petra Kvitova got 2012 off to a winning start with a straight forward 64 62 victory against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. Speaking after the match a very relaxed Kvitova said, “last season was longer than normal and I had some rest and hopefully I’m ready for playing matches” and continued “I played well and it was really fun for me.”

She then watched on courtside as Tomas Berdych, the Wimbledon Champ’s partner for this Hopman Cup, wrapped up victory for the team by defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 64 67 63.

In contrast to Kvitova, Berdych’s victory was not that straight forward as the 20-year-old Bulgarian pushed the World No.7 all the way. Berdych took the first set in 39 minutes and it looked as if he might cruise to victory. Dimitrov however had other ideas and fought hard to take the second set 11-9 in a stunning tiebreak, in which the Bulgarian saved two match points. The Bulgarian was unable to consolidate in the third set and when Berdych wrapped the match up after 2 hours and 5 minutes the assembled Czech team looked delighted.

In stark contrast to Sunday’s seven and a half hour rubber between Spain and Australia, in which Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues grabbed victory for Spain in the mixed doubles decider, today’s day session began at 9.30am and was decided with Berdych’s victory at 1.30pm local time. Although the result of the mixed doubles rubber was irrelevant, the match was played in front of an appreciative crowd.

While all eyes were focussed on the court inside the Burswood Dome, Caroline Wozniacki touched down in Perth.  The World No.1 is in action for Monday evening’s session, when Denmark take on the USA. The action starts at 5pm local time and to give the Dane time to recover from her journey, in a change to the normal format Mardy Fish and Frederik Nielsen will play in advance of the women’s match where the World No.1 takes on Bethanie Mattek Sands.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here