Petra Kvitova loses in the French Open second round on return from injury
| French Open |
|---|
| Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 28 May- 11 June |
| Coverage: Listen to live radio commentary and follow text coverage of selected matches on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and online. |
Petra Kvitova’s return to action came to an end in the second round of the French Open as she lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) to Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Kvitova, 27, only returned to full-time practice at the start of May after being stabbed in December.
The Czech – a two-time Wimbledon champion – suffered career-threatening injuries to her left hand.
She rallied from 3-1 down to take the second set to a tie-break but lost to the American on a double fault.
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Kvitova, who said she “was lucky to be alive” after the stabbing, was not expected to play in Paris at all but won her first match back in Sunday’s first round.
She first picked up a racquet again in March, 12 weeks after the attack, and will now focus on playing at Wimbledon, where she won in 2011 and 2014.
“After the match, I didn’t feel as bad as normally I probably do,” said Kvitova. “I’m still happy I’m here and playing.
“The fairytale ended. Now, in upcoming weeks, I think it will be business as usual.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to, just focusing on the tennis and on the game and everything what I do need to improve to my game.”