Kvitova Defeats Pegula To Set Up Qatar Open Final Clash With Muguruza
Umer Jamshaid Published March 05, 2021 | 11:20 PM
Doha, March 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2021 ) :Petra Kvitova withstood some inspired tennis from Jessica Pegula and high winds to win 6-4, 6-4 on Friday and reach the final of the Qatar Open where she will face Garbine Muguruza.
Muguruza received a walkover into Saturday's title match after fellow former world number one Victoria Azarenka dropped out because of the back pain that dogged her quarter-final win over Elina Svitolina on Thursday.
Czech Kvitova's win looked far from assured when she went down 2-4 in the second set before her mistakes melted away and she made short work of her American opponent.
Number four seed Kvitova, a Grand Slam champion unlike Pegula, elected to receive after winning the toss.
But her big serve and stride seemed disrupted by the strong evening breeze at the Khalifa Tennis Complex, a stone's throw from the Doha seafront.
"It was very, very windy and it was very tough -- it wasn't about tennis it was about putting the ball into the court, and that's what I tried," Kvitova said after her win.
The confidence Pegula showed in her last-eight clash against Karolina Pliskova, who she broke nine times, shone through from the outset against Kvitova, as she negotiated the conditions to go ahead.
Kvitova broke in the third game but Pegula immediately broke back, judiciously adjusting her play to overcome the wind.
- Deja vu - The breeze took several of Kvitova's returns wide of the mark, hampering her ability to build momentum against Pegula.
"She is improving since last year and it was already a very tough one.
.. as we saw she can really play some volleys as well," Kvitova said.
Kvitova saw off Pegula 6-4, 6-3 at last year's US Open.
As the set progressed Pegula began to struggle with the wind and Kvitova broke in the seventh and ninth games before holding serve to claim the hard-won set.
Pegula appeared to gained the upper hand as she won the first three games of the second set, but Kvitova slowed her march during a precisely executed winning service game.
Kvitova won an impressive break back to claim the fifth game.
As the set developed, two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova mixed up her play resorting to several slices which changed the pace of the encounter.
But Pegula maintained her composure, using a cunning drop shot to break Kvitova and dominate the sixth game.
Kvitova broke back at once and then held her serve to tie the set.
In the ninth game, Pegula handed Kvitova a first break point with an erroneous challenge that the American salvaged with a sublime shot.
Kvitova let out her signature screech when the game went to a second break point that allowed her to claim the point and a game that proved to be the turning point.
The Czech held serve to love to seal victory.
"I have the best memories for this court and I'm looking forward to the final," Kvitova said.
"It is" deja vu of 2018 when she triumphed 3-6, 6-3 6-4 over Muguruza in the Qatar Open final, she said.
"I'm really looking forward to it," she added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago