Kirsten Flipkens stuns Petra Kvitova as Marion Bartoli advances – Wimbledon Championships 2013
Belgian star, Kirsten Flipkens, outclassed the 2011 champion, Petra Kvitova, in a three-set thriller at the Wimbledon Championships 2013 on Tuesday.
Meanwhile the 15th seed, Marion Bartoli, stayed on track after trouncing the American challenger, Sloane Stephens, in straight sets at this Major grass court event being held in London, United Kingdom.
Seeded 20th in this prestigious event, Flipkens made a dismal entry at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and gifted away the opening set. However, she re-focused after that and ultimately carved out the victory in their fourth encounter. The payers
previously battled each other at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami earlier this season and after securing this victory, Flipkens improved to a 3-1 lifetime in the head-to-head series against the former world number two.
The Belgian top ranked contender stated in a post match presser, “I think I still don't really realize what I've managed to go through today and what I've achieved today. It's a dream - more than a dream - coming true. There are no words.”
The world number eight, Kvitova, drew the first blood in the fifth game and took a 3-2 lead. Despite losing her edge in the very next game, the Czech capitalised on another break chance and jumped to a 5-3 lead. She held her serve once again and sealed the
opener by winning six games to four.
Flipkens sought her rhythm in the following set. She held her entire serves with poise and got the breakthrough in the sixth game to grab the equaliser with a 6-4 win.
The 27-year-old kept momentum sailing in the deciding set. She held her composure and bagged her entire serves. Flipkens cashed a break opportunity in the ninth game and clinched the decider with a 6-4 score line.
The 15th seed, Bartoli stayed on track at this third of the four Grand Slam events. She eased past the American contestant, Sloane Stephens, in straight sets to reach semis.
“I could've done even better today, especially when I had this 5-3, 30-0 lead on my serve,” the Frenchwomen stated in a courtside interview after earning the glory. “But I've always prepared for anything on the court. Especially in my childhood and the way
my dad made me practice, and the conditions I practiced in, they really were the toughest in the world. It has always been my strength to focus mentally and stay strong no matter what is happening.”
The Frenchwoman will face off Flipkens for a chance to reach the final.
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