Wednesday 22 January 2020

AO - Day 3 - Kvitova v Badosa

Second round match between seventh seed Petra Kvitová and Paula Badosa was the first match on RLA on Day Three of 2020 AO.
Games were on serve for the first three games with Badosa leading 2-1.
In the fourth game Kvitova was taken to deuce, but her second forehand winner for the game took her to safety and 2-2.
Deep ground strokes set up two points for the Czech star but a brilliant backhand down the line from Badosa caused Kvitova all sorts of trouble, and serve was held.

Kvitova committed three uncharacteristic errors, and three break points arose. A return forehand winner sealed a break to love, and Badosa led 4-2. Kvitova broke back, a sizzling forehand return winner sealing the game.
Badosa continued to lead, holding for 5-4 with a a great forehand. Kvitova began with an ace in a bid to level. A backhand winner and another ace clinched the game for 5-5.

A glorious forehand winner from a defensive position gave Badosa 15-15, and a well placed serve took her to 30-30. Kvitova gained a break point after a forehand winner, but wasted it when finding the net. A second break chance was converted when a backhand was too strong for Badosa.
Serving for the set, three set points came quickly. Only one required, as a backhand return missed. Kvitova led 7-5.

Set two began with both players holding serve, Kvitova needing to save a break point. A superb lob winner from Badosa couldn’t cover two backhand winners and one forehand from Kvitova, and she was broken. The break back came, two double faults from the Czech racquet.
Serves were held through to 4-4, then Badosa had 30-30. Kvitova missed with two returns and trailed 4-5 as she went to the line.
Two errors and Kvitova was in strife. A double fault and three set points for Badosa. One saved. And a second. Deuce after a great wide serve. A forehand winner and game point. Ace for 5-5.

Badosa 0-40 after a trio of backhand errors. Two break points saved. Not the third, and Kvitova would be serving for the match. 
A forehand winner and 15-0. An ace and 30-0. Three match points when Badosa hit the net. Victory to Petra Kvitová following a final Badosa error. 7-5 7-5.

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