AO - Kvitová d Anisimova to march into 1/4s

Day 7 of Australian Open 2019, and the round of sixteen. Opening match on Rod Laver Arena was:

Petra Kvitová (8) (CZE) v Amanda Anisimova (USA)

Anisimova served first. After three unforced forehand errors,  Anisimova saved two of the break points with a forehand winner and Kvitová’s unforced error.  However, Kvitová forced a backhand mistake with a blistering return on the third break point to lead 1-0.

At 30-30 Kvitová contributed a forehand winner and an ace to consolidate the break. 2-0.

Anisimova held serve for the loss of just one point, hitting winners from both wings in the process. 1-2.  Kvitová held easily, but an Anisimova backhand winner was what caught the eye.  3-1 Czech Republic.

Anisimova was taken to deuce three times, the third via a magical Kvitová drop shot.  A double fault brought up the first of two break points, both of which vanished, and in the end the American held for 2-3.

From 30-30, Kvitová forced two backhand errors to hold and lead 4-2.

Anisimova trailed 0-40, a Kvitová winning forehand and double fault incorporated.  The second of the break points was an unforced forehand error, and Kvitová had a double break.  5-2.

Three set points after a forehand winner, and it only needed one for Kvitová to take it 6-2.

A remarkable 86% of first serves in play for the eighth seed.

A good start to set two by Anisimova, holding serve and leading 1-0.

Kvitová double faulted and a forehand error had her at 30-30.  The serve was held after a service winner and a stunning forehand down the line. 1-1.  Anisimova had now settled into the match, but she let a 40-15 lead slip to again face a break point.  The slide began with a Czech winner, and continued with unforced errors, the break confirmed with another error from the forehand side. 2-1 Kvitová.

A love game from Kvitová, due to four Anisimova backhand errors, three forced. 3-1.  Double fault and 0-30.  10 straight points for the eighth seed.  Anisimova fought back with the next three points and had game point.  A Kvitová forehand winner took it to deuce.  A break point after a second deuce with a forced American forehand error.  Saved, but a double fault gave Kvitová a second chance.  She took it with a winning overhead.  4-1 and double break.

A love game, concluded with two backhand winners brought Kvitová to 5-1.  Winners from both wings by Kvitová and Anisimova trailed 0-30.

With what was possibly the shot of the match, Kvitová hit a return forehand winner that could almost knock a steel wall down.  Three match points.  All over in 59 minutes of dynamite tennis.

Petra Kvitová won 6-2 6-1 and was first to book her spot in the quarter finals.