US Open tennis 2022: Petra Kvitova v Garbiñe Muguruza, match result, Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily
Petra Kvitova’s reaction to her gripping third-round triumph at the US Open — one of relief and not ecstasy — has left Australian tennis icon Wally Masur pondering a “shame”.
The former top-level coach took a moment to reflect on Kvitova’s press conference after she outlasted Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza in a three-set epic, eventually winning a match-deciding tiebreak 12-10.
“I’m glad that somehow it worked out and I’m glad it was a big relief at the match point,” a smiling Kvitova said with her head in her hands.
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“So, yeah, relief.”
“Isn’t it funny? Relief — that’s (sometimes) the players’ emotion,” Masur said on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“I interviewed Marat Safin after he won the Australian Open (in 2005). He looked at me, he looked exhausted, he said, ‘No hard questions, I’m exhausted, I’m so relieved’.
“So, good players expect so much of themselves that sometimes they don’t enjoy a win. It’s like a sense of relief. It seems a shame, isn’t it?”
Grand Slam Daily host Chris Stubbs likened the mindset to Cathy Freeman’s when she clinched gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Without a hint of a smile, Freeman unzipped her iconic bodysuit, put a hand over her eyes and dropped to the track.
“Relief was an overwhelming emotion, because it was something I’d dreamt of ever since I was 10 years old,” the Australian running legend said in the Sydney Olympics documentary.
“Almost a bit Cathy Freeman-esque, isn’t it?” Stubbs said of Kvitova’s reaction on Grand Slam Daily.
Special Ks through in straight sets
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The Czech Republic’s Kvitova hasn’t advanced beyond the semi-finals of a grand slam since the Roland-Garros tournament of 2020, and is only the 21st seed at this year’s US Open.
But Masur considers the 32-year-old, who conquered Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, a genuine title chance.
“Kvitova’s one of my favourites for the tournament,” Masur said.
“I’ve sort of got groups of players; I’ve got the tennis players and I’ve got the first-strike players, with all the power.
“For me, Kvitova might be one of those first-strike players that can get the job done.”
Kvitova will meet American Jessica Pegula, the tournament’s eighth seed, in the fourth round.
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