Tennis: Kvitova puts Czech Republic in front

MOSCOW: This year’s Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova lifted the Czech Republic into a 2-1 lead against hosts Russia in the Fed Cup final showdown, beating two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova. Kvitova battled back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in her first meeting with the 26-year-old Kuznetsova in two hours and 13 minutes. Earlier, Kvitova had drawn first blood for the Czechs, beating Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-2, but Kuznetsova had managed to pull her team level with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Lucie Safarova.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th,  2011.