Stephens knocks 10th seed Kvitova out of Wimbledon

Sloane Stephens in action during her first round match against Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova. — Reuters

London - The 2017 US Open champion came into the match on Centre Court with a 2-1 head-to-head lead against Kvitova

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By Reuters

Published: Mon 28 Jun 2021, 8:56 PM

American Sloane Stephens won the battle of Grand Slam winners against twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Monday, ousting the Czech 10th seed from the All England Club with a 6-3 6-4 victory.

The 2017 US Open champion came into the match on Centre Court with a 2-1 head-to-head lead against Kvitova, who lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2011 and 2014, but all their previous meetings had been on hard courts.

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Former world number three Stephens, who has slipped down the rankings to 73rd, arrived in London without playing a lead-up event on grass but showed no signs of rust as she broke Kvitova’s serve twice to take the opening set.

In the second set the 28-year-old picked up the crucial break in the seventh game and converted her first match point with her 11th winner to set up a clash with either fellow American lucky loser Kristie Ahn or Britain’s Heather Watson.

Reuters

Published: Mon 28 Jun 2021, 8:56 PM

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