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Kvitova defeats Wozniacki at Hopman Cup


 

Originally published on: 06/01/12 09:05

From the moment Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova were announced as playing in not only this tournament, but also in the same quailfying group, this match was billed as the one to watch. It was an opportunity not only for the good folk of Perth to see to see the world’s top two women in action but also for the eyes of the tennis world to see how the two contrasting players would square off so early in the season.

It was a match that extended over two hours and 20 minutes and did not disappoint in terms of the quality of the tennis. Wozniacki served first and was immediately broken. Kvitova was tested in the fourth game where she served two double faults to bring up to deuce but she played the aggressive attacking tennis that eventually claimed the match.

The final point of first set tie break, which the Czech took 7-4, finished with Kvitova ripping a trademark forehand down the line.

Wozniacki came back to take the second set, by which time she looked more relaxed than she had at the start of the match, even discussing with the umpire a couple of incorrect line calls which happened with Kvitova serving at 3-5.

There were some competitive rallies in the third set, but Kvitova sealed the game on her second match point with a forehand that wrong-footed Wozniacki.

The Dane’s assessment was that “In the first set I had a tough time returning her serves, I had to get used to that leftie serve and going the other way. If I had returned like I did in the second and the third set, maybe it would have gone another way.”

While this is an invitational mixed doubles tournament it was interesting to note that Kvitova, speaking on TV after the match said: “It was a great match for both of us” and went onto say that “I’m really happy that I won because it was a little small test, how we are prepared for the Aussie Open.”

First blood to the World No.2 but as the Dane said “It was a good match and we both played well in the main points.” In our opinion that’s exactly why, with the big points won on winning shots, it was such a good match and we’d be happy to watch plenty more of those between these two in the coming year.

Putting this match in the context of Hopman Cup, once Tomas Berdych had defeated Frederik Nielsen 61 63 in the men’s match, the line-up was set for Saturday’s final where today’s victors Czech Republic will take on France who on Thursday defeated Spain to win Group B.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.