Petra Kvitova enjoys easy pass into semi as Maria Sharapova retires – Toray Pan Pacific Open 2011
World number six and fifth seed Petra Kvitova outlasted the world number two and second seeded Russian Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinal of the Toray Pan Pacific Open 2011. The players took up the gantlet on the hard outdoor
courts of the Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan and after thirty five minutes and thirteen seconds, the Czech seeded at number five eased past the second seeded Russian Sharapova with a 4-3 victory of the opening set.
The two players had contested against each other twice prior to this event and were well aware of each other’s style and performance. The last time the two met was at the third Grand Slam of the year, Wimbledon Championships held
in Great Britain. The two players dulled on grass courts during the final clash for the title and emerging victorious was Kvitova, who not only won the title but also avenged her loss against the world number two Sharapova.
This was the third time the two were meeting and the head-to-head was tied at 1-1. Opening the first round of the match was Czech Wimbledon Champion Kvitova, who had just won the service toss and opted to serve. Number five seeded
Kvitova opened the score board to 1-0 by smashing an ace at 40-15 and held serve.
Sharapova was up next, as she geared to win on her serve, she smashed a couple of back hand winners to ward off the Czech. By holding her serve in the second game, Sharapova too placed herself on the score board at 1-1. Amidst
the following four games, the challengers had managed to win on their respective service games and the score board progressed on even terms rounding off at 2-2 and then 3-3.
After the sixth game the score had tied at 3-3 and serving for the seventh game was Kvitova, as she battled two deuces, she managed a difficult hold, as the Czech saved a break point in this crucial game, she kept her nose in front.
By smashing a huge forehand winner which was complimented by a big serve, the Czech went 4-3, in the opening set.
However, during the eighth game Sharapova smashed an ace at 30-15 and as she was serving for the game point, she fell and twisted her ankle. After short medical examination, Sharapova decided not to play any further and took an
emotional exit out of court, handing the match to her old fangled rival.
On the contrary, Kvitova bagged an easy victory to secure a spot in the semi final of the event.
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