Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic came from behind to battle her way into the Wimbledon semi-finals with a gritty 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 8-6 victory over Estonian qualifier Kaia Kanepi on Tuesday.
Kvitova saw off several match points and recovered from 4-0 down in the third set before finally overcoming her opponent in two hours and 39 minutes on Court One.
“In the first set I don’t know what was the problem when I lost my serve,” Kvitova said. “I cannot believe it. It’s something incredible so I’m very happy.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
Kvitova now faces defending champion Serena Williams in today’s semi-finals.
The clash between world No. 62 Kvitova and world No. 80 Kanepi was the surprise quarter-final at the All England Club.
Aged 20, Kvitova was the youngest player and the only left-hander in the quarter-finals.
The Czech fell at the first round at her two previous Wimbledons, and had never won on grass before her run at the All England Club this year.
Kanepi had never previously been past the Wimbledon second round. The 25-year-old is only the sixth qualifier to reach the Wimbledon women’s quarter-finals.
Kanepi said: “During the match points I just tried to play the point, but nothing special.”
“When she broke, she got some more confident and she just kept in there, kept fighting,” the Estonian said.
Kanepi has been ranked as high as 18th in the world.
“The last half year I had very bad period,” she said. “I was injured before French Open and before Wimbledon, so I got bad losses. My confidence went down. I just didn’t find the rhythm and good form.”
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Serena Williams has joined the Li Na fan club after defeating China’s top player in their quarter-final clash.
The defending champion beat Li 7-5, 6-3 but the Chinese player equalled her best-ever performance at the All England Club by reaching the last eight.
The Wuhan-born 28-year-old has already made the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
And Williams believes the world No. 12 can still be a force at the top level thanks to her attitude to the game.
“She is mentally very tough and that is why she is doing so well,” Williams said.
“She is tricky at times and I have had a run-in with her several times. I never really think about dreading playing anyone,” she said. “But she is good at moving the ball around and she is good at making unbelievable shots and she is a good server — she serves really, really well. And she has excellent placement.”
Li was outplayed by Serena for much of the match as her game unravelled on Centre Court but insisted she had been concentrating on herself and not worrying about the 12-time Grand Slam champion on the other side of the net.
“You don’t worry about your opponent — you concentrate on yourself. It did not work out — I am a little bit sad that I am out but happy to make the quarter-finals,” she said.
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