Kvitova Ends Serena’s Unbeaten Run To Reach Madrid Final Against Kuznetsova

by Staff | May 8th, 2015, 9:07 pm
  • 24 Comments

In a shocking semifinal in the Madrid women’s event, heavy favorites Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova were both bottled up on the same day in straight sets by Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova, respectively.

Kuznetsova, who had battled through two third set tiebreak wins, pulled the first upset beating countrywoman and defending champion Sharapova concisely 6-2, 6-4.

“I feel very happy, it was a very tough match,” Kuznetsova said. “I was playing good, serving good – everything was working well.”


Sharapova hadn’t lost to Kuznetsova in seven years.

“Today she had much more pop on her ball than I did, while I felt my shots were a bit too flat,” Sharapova said. “I also think the court and the bounce, with the altitude here, meant her spin was getting really high.”

Would Serena restore order? The World No. 1 went into the match a perfect 25-0 this year, winning 27 straight overall and 50 in a row at the Premier Mandatory level. And she was 5-0 against Petra Kvitova, who does her best week on faster courts. But the Czech pulled through rather easily 6-2, 6-3 in just 73 minutes.

“Yeah, I think she just played well today,” Serena said. “I mean, she went for broke on every serve, every return. I hit some second serves, 170, 175, and she just hit them for winners. I was very slow off the mark. After my serve I wasn’t moving as well as I should have. You know, I wasn’t in it.

“I wasn’t Serena today. I think that was the main thing.”

Kvitova had skipped March due to exhaustion, and now she stands on the brink of one of her biggest titles.

“For sure I’m happy I won today,” Kvitova said. “I had never beaten her, so it’s a really special moment for me.”

Kuznetsova, a former French Open champion, and Kvitova had met four times before with Petra winning three.

“Petra is a great player. I’m just happy to be in the final and will prepare and try to do my best tomorrow,” said Kuznetsova who beat Kvitova 9-7 in the third at the French Open last year.


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24 Comments for Kvitova Ends Serena’s Unbeaten Run To Reach Madrid Final Against Kuznetsova

Margot Says:

When Petra is “on” she can beat anyone. An extraordinary and, gotta say this, volatile talent.
And gr8 to see Kutzy there too, but unless Petra explodes, surely not…;) she’ll win.


jane Says:

it’s awesome that petra is “back.” she’s never won roland garros, so maybe she can surprise and make a push there? or maybe that clay is too slow for her, definitely play differently than in madrid by all accounts. in any case, it indicates she’ll once again be a top threat on grass if she can maintain good form.


Margot Says:

*Waves* to jane.
Petra racing through the first set here. She looks slimmer to me and quicker.
And OMG Kutz’s coach looks just like Fed! :0


Margot Says:

And Petra takes the first set, 6-1. Unplayable at the mo. with Serena type serving.


Margot Says:

Bit of a massacre going on.


jane Says:

wowsers. she’s cruising!


jalep Says:

Seems I post on wrong threads a lot.

Just posted on the other thread…not much Sveta can do when Petra’s returning so well and deep: finishing points quickly.

Offense and defense clicking. ..

Maybe Sveta can get a game ???


jalep Says:

*waves* to jane, too :)


jane Says:

*waving back at you margot*
well, that was quick.
for a while it looked like a breadstick and a bagel!


jane Says:

and *waving* to jalep. :) we could have our own little crowd wave on here.


Margot Says:

Petra: 6-1, 6-2
Rest of women better look out, all I can say. Petra the destroyer is back.
Roland Garros here she comes.


jalep Says:

Well Sveta struggling with some injury/illness issues.

But Petra beating Serena was huge.

Congrats on her Madrid title! Isn’t it her 2nd in Madrid. I’ve been cleaning kitchen while watching.


jalep Says:

WTA club tennis-x. Exclusive but memberships are open :)


jane Says:

a club! i love clubs. ;)

“33 winners for 14 unforced errors in that match” for petra; not too shabby.


Margot Says:

*Puts hand up.*
Count me in! Lol very, very exclusive and very, very small ;)


lapinroyal Says:

I love WTA too…
Petra still think that she play on grass in Madrid… I was afraid that “exhaustion” will damage her confidence and her game, but Petra prove me wrong… Too bad that Kuzzy was never in the match (abeit never aloud to be in the match) with injury and stomach up-set. Sveta know how to play on clay with great succes at RG, even in her lowest yearsss. Great sportwomanship to continue playing in oder give Petra a win instead of win by retirement.


tonyon Says:

…new Tennis… What is waiting ATP and WTA to modify the Tennis court?: bring near ½ meter the transversal line of the service square towards the net. Finish the tale of the “great servicers” = “great borers” that turn out to the spectators from the tiers stadiumm with the tedium of service and little more. Tennis is long game, is art…that generate fondness for Tennis, not the tale of the service. Come on, everybody thumb up…


jalep Says:

One of the youngish players I like is Slovak Anna Schmiedlova (age 20). I had the chance to watch the
Quarters semi’s and final from Katowice and was impressed by her 1st atp title there. Ranked #43.

Also love watching Camila Giorgi. She’s a bit like the Dolgopolov. of the WTA.

Looking forward to seeing how Schmiedlova does in Rome. I see she made it through qualifying. Of course Giorgi is in the main draw.


jalep Says:

Atp title…uh make that Wta title.


jalep Says:

So I was thinking Schmiedlova made it into the main draw but she had one more qualifier round to go and 28 yr.old veteran Elina Vesnina knocked her out. As schucks.


andrea Says:

that was a brutal match for svetlana. petra was blasting winners all over the place. scary.


jalep Says:

Petra on fire, andrea. The way she beat Serena…wow. Petra with so much confidence and fitter than ever. Be very afraid…everyone.


Margot Says:

jalep, I really like Caroline Garcia too. Only 21 and destined for the top 10, I’m sure.
I agree re Petra too. Madrid conditions suit her, undoubtedly, but if she can continue to play like that, look out everyone, everywhere.
Such power, jaw dropping.Serena has met her match in that department.


jalep Says:

Margot. To ease my tension from what’s about to happen in Madrid final…I filled out a Wta draw :D

Have an eye on Caroline Garcia too. I remember that Andy tipped her as a future top player.

I see tennis-x has a thread up about wta Rome. Keeping a shy eye on Andy v Rafa but will go read…nervous…really hop Andy can at least make it a good fight.

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