The Czech Republic's Fed Cup World Group semifinal victory against Germany started and ended with Petra Kvitova last weekend, as she notched a pair of WTA Top 15 victories to help her team advance to November's final against Team USA.
Competing as the Czech No. 2 behind Karolina Pliskova, Kvitova gave her side an early advantage by storming past German No. 1 Julia Goerges, 6-3, 6-2, in the tie's opening match.
After Pliskova split her two singles matches across Saturday and Sunday, Kvitova again answered the call in dominating fashion, dismissing Angelique Kerber and the German team with a 6-2, 6-2 clincher in the weekend's fourth rubber.
Here is more on the talented left-hander:
The Petra Kvitova File
Age: 28
Height: 6-0
Bithplace: Bilovec, Czech Republic
Current Rank: 10
Career-High Rank: 2 (October 2011)
Best US Open Finish: Quarterfinals (2015, 2017)
The Baseline
- Kvitova has been a key part of the Czech Republic team that has won five of the last seven Fed Cup titles, including three in a row from 2014-16. Since joining the squad in 2007, Kvitova boasts a 30-10 singles record over 22 ties.
- A 22-time WTA title winner, Kvitova has already claimed two trophies in 2018, on the hard courts of St. Petersburg, Russia, and Doha, Qatar. She has won at least one title every year since 2011.
- On Dec. 20, 2016, Kvitova was attacked by a man attempting to break into her home in Prostejov, Czech Republic. Defending herself, she was stabbed in her left (playing) hand and sustained what were termed as “severe” injuries. After a six-month recovery, Kvitova returned to action at the 2017 French Open, winning her opening match over Julia Boserup.
- Incredibly, in just her second tournament back from her tragic injury, Kvitova won the 2017 Aegon Classic Birmingham on her favored grass courts, defeating Australian Ashleigh Barty in a three-set final.
- Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion, with her titles coming in 2011 and 2014. Though she has never been past the US Open quarters in 10 main-draw appearances, 18 of her 22 WTA titles have come on hard courts, leaving her poised for a deep New York run in the near future.
They Said It!
“I didn’t really expect (this level). From the beginning, I was dominating on the court most of the time. That made it easier. To keep that level against great players is not easy, but I did it. And I’m happy for it.” – Kvitova told FedCup.com after securing the Czech Republic's semifinal victory.
