Kvitova and Pennetta Cruise Into Women’s Quarterfinal Matchup

Petra Kvitova continued her excellent run of tennis over the last couple of weeks by ending the run of British qualifier Johanna Konta on Monday. The fifth-seeded Czech ousted Konta with a 7-5, 6-3 win to extend her winning streak to eight matches.

The win also snapped the 16-match winning streak of Konta, who came through qualifying to be in this tournament. She came out firing as well and held in her first five serving games, and after Kvitova held in her first six service games, the opening set hit a crossroad.

Kvitova set herself up with a set point in the 12th game, and Konta double-faulted on what was the first break point she faced, giving the opening set to the two-time Wimbledon champion.

In the second, Kvitova again capitalized on the only break point she forced, and didn’t face a single one on her serve, winning all but one of her first service points to cruise 6-3 and win in straight sets.

“It was a very difficult match actually,” said Kvitova. “I knew it because nobody really can’t play in the fourth round of a Grand Slam, so I expected that. I think she served really well, and I think from the beginning of the match, I was the worst player on the court but somehow I managed to keep my serve on and just waited for the chance.”

Kvitova did jump all over her chances. She converted both of her break point opportunities and saved five of her own, all in the first, to dispatch Konta.

Up next for Kvitova will be 26th seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, who defeated 2011 champion and 22nd-seeded Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-4 to advance to her sixth U.S. Open quarterfinal in the last eight years.

In six career meetings, Kvitova and Pennetta each have three wins, with the last meeting between the two taking place at the 2012 Olympic Games, a 6-3, 6-0 win by Kvitova. 

Pennetta continued her dominance over Stosur, whom she had beaten in all six of the previous meetings heading into this match. She broke once in each set and saved all four of the break points she faced to move through in straight sets.

“I played really well,” said Pennetta. “I played really consistent from the beginning till the last point. So I am really happy about this.”

She joins Roberto Vinci as Italians who will be hoping to reach the semifinals this week.