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Roland Garros: Kvitova Returns, Kerber Exits

May 28th 2017

It was a successful return to the sport for one grand slam champion but a disappointing day for another in Paris. Petra Kvitova not only returned to tennis after a six-month absence following injuries sustained from a home invasion but advanced to the second-round with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Julie Boserup. On the flipside, it was a short stay for world no.1 and top-seeded Angelique Kerber, who fell to Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-2.

Last December, Kvitova was attacked by a home invader, who stabbed the 2-time Wimbledon champion. The Czech sustained serious injuries to her left hand which included damage to her tendons, nerves, and fingers. She is still unable to close her fist.

Petra Kvitova

Today, Kvitova entered Philippe-Chatrier Court to a rousing ovation which left many in tears as she returned to the sport again. An emotional Kvitova spoke afterward, “I think it doesn’t really matter how I played, but I won,” she said. “I won already, before.” She addressed her family post-match, “Thank you for everything you helped me through this difficult time.”

Given her absence from tennis, Kvitova showed little rust in her 74 minutes on court. There were signs of her signature, powerful serve, and lefty forehand at times during the match.

She will look to continue her comeback against Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round.

Meanwhile, Kerber’s 2017 struggles continued in the first-round after an uninspiring performance against the Russian. And after a magical 2016, the German fell to 19-13 on the season.

Kerber stated that pressure has played a factor in her slump, “This year, I mean, the expectations are much bigger, especially in the big tournaments and the Grand Slams. And the expectations are also from me really big, of course, because I know what I can do, what I did last year.”

Angelique Kerber

It was a tough first-round match for the world no. 1 who faced an experienced opponent who has gone deep in slams before.  It was also at a venue where she has struggled, having only reached the quarterfinals once in her career. With the loss, she became the first No. 1-seeded female player to lose in the opening round at Roland Garros in the Open era.

An already wide-open draw became even more open with her departure as many players in her portion of the draw are liking their chances. Along with Kvitova and Makarova, Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova could certainly benefit from her departure.