16/08/2013 16:09
Once there was a lefty who dominated women's tennis, or atleast was deemed to dominate women's tennis. And that woman is Petra Kvitova. The Czech player rose into limelight in the year 2011 especially after winning Wimbledon. Everyone then expected the Czech to rule women's tennis. However she failed to meet the expectations and fell in the first round of the U.S. Open, that very year! Just when everyone were looking for a new champion, Kvitova rose to the occassion during the year end Championships in Istanbul. She went on to beat top 8 players and in the finals beat Azarenka to liftt her maiden year end Championships.
2012 - Everyone's eyes were on the lefty during the Australian Open as she was just points away from becoming the World Number One. But a strong Sharapova put an end to the Czech's dominance thus ending her chances of becoming the World Number 1. As the year progressed Kvitova just kept loosing matches that she was expected to be. The player's temperment had changed. Despite reaching the semi of French Open, Kvitova failed to show any promise later as she lost out early in eastbourne and could not do much at Wimbledon. The Czech player known for her inconsistency hit a purple patch during the fall and went on to win Montreal and New Haven. She was clearly a favorite for the U.S. Open following this run, sadly that was not to happen. She eventually lost out to Bartoli in the 4th round. The Autum season saw the agony continue as she lost very early in Tokyo and Beijing. Thus began the Great Fall. She had to withdraw from the year end Championships due to an illness. The year ended on albeit a positive note as the Czech Republic won the Fed Cup. But Kvitova surely was on the fall!
2013 - The year started horrendously for the Czech losing very early in Brisbane and Sydney. With a lot of points to defend in Australia the pressure was clearly on her. However she ran into an inspired Laura Robson who humbled the Champion in a match that lasted more than 3 hours. Having nothing to defend post Australia, Kvitova headed to Paris, an event which she won in 2011. There her poor form continued losing to Mladenovic. She later headed towards the middle east. It is here that Kvitova found some form. She reached the quarters of the Qatar total Open. She also pushed Serena to 3 sets. After this, Kvitova headed to Dubai. It is here that she displayed the masterclass that won her Wimbledon 2 years ago. She went on to win Dubai. But that found form quickly started to deteriorate. In Indian Wells She lost in the quarters to Kirilenko and in Miami she lost in the third round to Flipkens. She went on to play in Stuttgart but made no impact there losing to Li in the 3rd round. Early exits followed her later in big tournaments. She lost out to Hampton in the 3rd round of the French Open. Later she lost to Wickmayer in 3 sets at Eastbourne. But as they say, you get second chances. After a bad time, comes a good time. The tennis Gods finally gave her the best chance to re announce herself on the tour. In Wimbledon the draw opened up very favorably to the Czech. After reaching the Quarters she lost to Flipkens in an odd match. Illness was the culprit this time. Now she heads to the hard courts in the U.S. Having a lot of points to defend, the Czech's poor form is certainly a cuase of concern. A poor run at Toronto really hurt her cause. She has a lot of points to defend at New Haven. If she loses early there, for sure her chances of being seeded 8th in the U.S. open is going to be hit badly. It is very evident that she is on the verge of falling out of the top 10!
