Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Kvitova makes winning start at Birmingham

June 20, 2017 18:14 IST

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic

Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova got her grass season off to a positive start with a 6-2, 6-3 win over compatriot Tereza Smitkova at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England on Tuesday.

Kvitova, Wimbledon winner in 2011 and 2014, is on the comeback trail after a lengthy absence following a knife attack at her home in the Czech Republic in December.

The 27-year-old's only appearance so far this year was at the French Open where she lost in the second round.

She is hoping to hit some form before Wimbledon in July.

Kvitova took one hour and 23 minutes to beat 22-year-old Smitkova, who is ranked 167th in the world.

The Czech will face Britain's Naomi Brody in the next round after she beat France's Alize Cornet on Monday.

Later on Tuesday, Britain's world number seven Johanna Konta gets her Birmingham bid under way against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko. 

Image: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic

Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.