Krunic “didn’t expect to win” but she did, in straight sets, Kvitova down

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Wilson Blade 9

Aleksandra Krunic

Third seed Petra Kvitova has joined the long list of US Open top name casualties (of the top eight seeds, only three are still alive, No. 1 Serena Williams, No. 5 Maria Sharapova and No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard), falling in the third round to world No.145 Aleksandra Krunic, who said that she didn’t even expect to win. The fast-moving qualifier from Serbia eliminated Kvitova and she did it in straight sets, 6-4 6-4. It’s actually the first tournament where she has won a set against a Top 30 player and this is the first Grand Slam where she recorded a main draw match victory. Previously in the main draw of the 2014 US Open she beat Katarzyna Piter 6-4 6-1 and Madison Keys 7-6(4) 2-6 7-5.

Kvitova committed 34 unforced errors in the match and in an epic 27-stroke rally on match point, the Czech sent yet another forehand out to join Agnieszka Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep, Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber on the losers count. (photo: Jimmie48)

6 COMMENTS

  1. Didnt quite get what “her first match win at a Grand Slam” meant … This was the third round, and she has already beaten Katarzyna Piter and 27 seed Madiso Keys, no?

  2. It meant that I got lost in a simple sentence haha. Thanks for noting that, Kartik. Here’s how it’s supposed to read.

  3. Welcome – but still not entirely accurate – she did bit a top 30 player before Petra – which is Madison Keys (seed and rank 27) in the second round 🙂

    Heehee – nitpicking can be fun sometimes 😉

  4. I have two dissimilar but related observations. How do we tennis fans get our encouragement, approval, accolades, and support communicated to players like Aleksandra Krunic who played Vicka toe to toe tonight before losing in three sets? It is not only refreshing to see new WTA performers who don’t scream/grunt/distract (the young up and comers) but it is stunning to see some of these new, young players with “game, tactics, and play making”. Krunic outplayed Vicka for all intents and purposes by moving her around, changing pace, and controlling points for a time. She is the first young female player to bring back a little memory of Justine Henin who was able to win via her shot-making, spin control, pace modulation rather than power like all the one-trick ponies in the WTA. Second question: Has the U.S.T.A. thought about banning Russian players in light of the conflict between the U.S. and Russia? Why don’t we see these meaty issues discussed in sports journalism?

  5. I remember that Krunic should have beaten Vika. I also remember her inexperience in losing to Azarenka, Krunic did not leave the court. This was only the 4th round, and it was quite awkward..Vika kept glancing at her, so they both left together?

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