Lightning-fast Kvitova claims Wimbledon crown
Czech sixth seed crushes promising Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 in 55 minutes.
LONDON:
Petra Kvitova stormed to her second Wimbledon title in the shortest women’s final since 1983 as the Czech sixth seed crushed Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday.
Kvitova, who first won Wimbledon in 2011, took just 55 minutes to end her three-year wait for a second grand slam crown, leaving shell-shocked world number 13 Bouchard helpless to repel a brutal barrage of 28 winners and four aces on Centre Court.
Playing in her first grand slam final since her maiden triumph at Wimbledon, the 24-year-old Kvitova produced a brilliant display of power-hitting to secure the 12th career title.
Fittingly, Kvitova’s breathtaking performance came in front of her childhood hero Martina Navratilova, whose 54-minute win against Andrea Jaeger 31 years ago was the last Wimbledon final to take less time than this ruthless demolition.
“I had great tactics from my coach, he always knows how I need to play,” said Kvitova.
“All my team helped me a lot throughout the years to come back here and win the trophy again.
“I can’t say it’s more special, but to be back here with the trophy after three years is so special.”
After struggling to cope with the fame and increased expectations that came with her first Wimbledon triumph, Kvitova has finally recaptured the thrilling form that brought her that breakthrough success.
The left-hander dropped just one set in her seven matches en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater dish for the second time.
While Kvitova celebrated, Bouchard, the youngest finalist at a major since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009, was left to lick her wounds after a chastening defeat in her first Grand Slam final.
“It was really tough for me today but I am proud of how I have played for these two weeks,” said Bouchard.
Federer, Djokovic eyeing symbolic title
Roger Federer targets a record eighth Wimbledon title on Sunday against Novak Djokovic, who is desperate to end a stretch of Grand Slam finals defeats that are threatening to shatter his legacy.
The pair will be playing for the 35th time in their eight-year rivalry, while Sunday’s final will be their 11th meeting at the Grand Slam level.
“Djokovic can hurt you down the line or cross-court on both sides,” said Federer. “His forehand, his serve, his movement clearly is what stands out the most.”
Unlike Federer and world number one Rafael Nadal, Djokovic is still without the career Grand Slam which every player craves, having lost both his Paris finals to the world number one Spaniard.
“I know that I can win the title,” said Djokovic. “I should have won a few matches that I lost in finals of grand slams in last couple years. But it’s an experience. It’s a learning process.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2014.
Petra Kvitova stormed to her second Wimbledon title in the shortest women’s final since 1983 as the Czech sixth seed crushed Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday.
Kvitova, who first won Wimbledon in 2011, took just 55 minutes to end her three-year wait for a second grand slam crown, leaving shell-shocked world number 13 Bouchard helpless to repel a brutal barrage of 28 winners and four aces on Centre Court.
Playing in her first grand slam final since her maiden triumph at Wimbledon, the 24-year-old Kvitova produced a brilliant display of power-hitting to secure the 12th career title.
Fittingly, Kvitova’s breathtaking performance came in front of her childhood hero Martina Navratilova, whose 54-minute win against Andrea Jaeger 31 years ago was the last Wimbledon final to take less time than this ruthless demolition.
“I had great tactics from my coach, he always knows how I need to play,” said Kvitova.
“All my team helped me a lot throughout the years to come back here and win the trophy again.
“I can’t say it’s more special, but to be back here with the trophy after three years is so special.”
After struggling to cope with the fame and increased expectations that came with her first Wimbledon triumph, Kvitova has finally recaptured the thrilling form that brought her that breakthrough success.
The left-hander dropped just one set in her seven matches en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater dish for the second time.
While Kvitova celebrated, Bouchard, the youngest finalist at a major since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009, was left to lick her wounds after a chastening defeat in her first Grand Slam final.
“It was really tough for me today but I am proud of how I have played for these two weeks,” said Bouchard.
Federer, Djokovic eyeing symbolic title
Roger Federer targets a record eighth Wimbledon title on Sunday against Novak Djokovic, who is desperate to end a stretch of Grand Slam finals defeats that are threatening to shatter his legacy.
The pair will be playing for the 35th time in their eight-year rivalry, while Sunday’s final will be their 11th meeting at the Grand Slam level.
“Djokovic can hurt you down the line or cross-court on both sides,” said Federer. “His forehand, his serve, his movement clearly is what stands out the most.”
Unlike Federer and world number one Rafael Nadal, Djokovic is still without the career Grand Slam which every player craves, having lost both his Paris finals to the world number one Spaniard.
“I know that I can win the title,” said Djokovic. “I should have won a few matches that I lost in finals of grand slams in last couple years. But it’s an experience. It’s a learning process.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2014.