Wimbledon 2023: Two-time champion Petra Kvitova beats Italy’s Jasmine Paolini to enter second round

By India Today Sports Desk: Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova returned to Centre Court at the All England Club for her 15th main draw campaign. In a hard-fought battle against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the Czech player secured victory in three sets 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.

Initially scheduled to play on No.3 court, the match was moved to Centre Court due to rain delays. Kvitova seemed to need some time to adjust, as Paolini appeared composed and took an early lead. However, Kvitova found her rhythm and broke Paolini’s serve in the fifth game to win the first set.

In the second set, Paolini grew in confidence and Kvitova had to rely on her powerful weapons, including her eight aces, to save break points. Although Kvitova could not convert her own break point opportunities, she managed to reach a tie-break. Unfortunately, Paolini took control and won the set, leveling the match.

Kvitova’s experience as a former Grand Slam champion and her impressive record of 71 grass court wins at Wimbledon proved crucial in the third set. She regained control, claiming a crucial serve to take a 3-1 lead and eventually won the last five games of the match.

“She always makes it very hard for me. We played last year, three sets as well,” said Kvitova. “It’s never easy to play the beginning of the tournament, especially here. But Centre Court is always a bit of fun of course.

“I was trying hard in the second set to break her but this didn’t happen. In the third I got an opportunity and I made it, and I think that since then I just kept going.

“I was playing a little bit better, I was serving better as well. That was always the difference, probably. “I was really happy with my serve, I didn’t lose it, so that’s very positive.”

Kvitova will face either Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the second round.