This strength-sapping encounter saw neither player ever allowed to establish meaningful momentum. Williams, seeded No.30 this year, was just two points from a straight sets victory but the Czech eventually came through 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-5 in two hours and 30 minutes.
The meeting that promised so much on paper delivered right from the off. A rejuvenated Venus – who played much better than her sister Serena when the siblings won through to the second round of the doubles on Wednesday evening – served and moved quite beautifully here. Having fended off break point in the first game of the match, she did not face another one until the joust was at its death. Kvitova played with her right thigh heavily strapped, as a result of the injury which prompted her withdrawal from Eastbourne last week at the quarter-final stage. Arguably Venus has had the better year, winning the title in Dubai while Kvitova has none. In the first set the Pole made more errors than winners, and it cost her. But in the second, concentration was etched on her face as the two went toe-to-toe. Her game can be unpredictable, but as the second set reached the tie-break an acutely angled crosscourt forehand saw her establish impetus, and a tired forehand from Venus gave Kvitova four set points. Disastrously the veteran – giving 10 years to her opponent – double faulted.
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