And when she was bad--
Oh, Petra.
Taken out of Tokyo in the second round (she had a bye in the first) by Petra Martic, Petra Kvitova has now made an early exit in Beijing, also. Kvitova beat Daniela Hantuchova in her first match, but lost in straight sets in the second round to Carla Suarez Navarro.
I've grown weary of asking "What's wrong with Petra?" but I will ask--is anyone doing anything about it? This is not a "slump." This is some strange stuff going on with a player who should be winning left and right on all surfaces. I have no idea what's needed--many things come to mind. I just hope that, whatever it is, it's provided sooner than later.
There are other stories in Beijing. Sara Errani had to retire in the opening round because of a hip injury. Jelena Jankovic beat her Beijing doubles partner Andrea Petkovic. Dominika Cibulkova had to retire in the first round, as did Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Simona Halep gave Maria Sharapova some trouble. Lisa Raymond and Sam Stosur briefly reunited, but were defeated in the first round by Julia Goerges and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
Goerges also upset Stosur in singles, beating her 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 in the second round. Tokyo champion Nadia Petrova won only three games against Li Na, and qualifier Lourdes Dominguez Lino has now taken out both Roberta Vinci and Laura Robson.
I don't know what happened in Tokyo but this week it has surfaced that both on the men's and women's side in Tokyo and Beijing there have been stomach virus problems. Supposedly, Kvitova got off the court quickly and went straight to bed after losing due to stomach ailment.
ReplyDeleteI did hear there was a virus, and those stomach bugs are popping up more and more often at big tournaments. I would rather see her give a walkover, under her particular circumstances.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be one thing after another, though. With Kvitova. Kind of like pre-Australia Azarenka.
Dear friends,
ReplyDeletePlease note that Petra has tipped the scales at her 2009 weight. This is irresponsible of her trainer, her coach and of Petra. Yep, she has the finest set of strokes in the history of the game, but being unfit, physically, mentally or both does not augur well for her legacy.
To doubters, I suggest that you watch her 2011 performances on YouTube. Nobody has such an all-court game. Her volleys in Paris, Brisbane, Linz and istanbul, and her 222 clean (240 overall) winners at Wimbledon were unprecedented. C'mon Petra, wake up! Her lack of fitness is evident in her footwork and the laziness of hitting many forehands open-stanced, when a year ago she hit closed and off the front foot, through the ball, whenever she had time. Oh Petra. Oh Petra. Oh Petra.
You are exasperating. I hope that you do not end up going the way of the greatest male ball striker, Henri Leconte, who rarely came to really play.
Yes, the feet! She's just not the same player. I suspect something has gone awry in her training.
ReplyDeleteIn defense of Petra, I'd like to mention that after Serena won her first slam in 1999 she didn't win her second until the 2002 French Open. I think the spotlight adjustment takes time.
ReplyDeletePlus Petra had a fairly good summer hardcourt season; especially compared to last year. I don't sense a substantial crash and burn like *sigh* Ivanovic after her maiden slam win. We'll see.
That's true. Kvitova is so "on" and "off," though, that I guess it makes us wonder sometimes. She certainly seems to be taking it all in stride--maybe better than her fans are :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all the top players. Kvitova just seems to have that something special, though--she just has to get it under control.
Lately, Kvitova does do the three little bounces on her feet while timing the incoming serve. She stands flat-footed, only occasionally doing her usual routine. Something is up in her life. Her demeanor is not as pro active either. In Tokyo, she got down on herself in an uncharacteristic way. It smacked of defeatism.
ReplyDeleteShe needs a new coach and a new trainer. Maybe a new boyfriend too.
Does NOT do the three.... Sorry, typo omission
ReplyDeletePetra is a good 10lbs. overweight. She was much trimmer last year, all year. See the videos. Now she alternates between a few great shots (great hands that would do this even from a hospital bed) and sheer lethargy and bad body language.
ReplyDeleteDoes she even WANT to play tennis professionally?
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