KVITOVA COMPLETES LAST EIGHT LINE-UP

No.5 seed Petra Kvitova joined Simona Halep in the Last Eight Club, reaching her first US Open quarterfinal over qualifier, Johanna Konta.

Published September 07, 2015 12:14

NEW YORK, NY, USA - In the last of the US Open's round of 16 matches, No.5 seed Petra Kvitova ended an inspiring run by British qualifier Johanna Konta, 7-5, 6-3, to reach her first quarterfinal in Flushing on Monday night.

Riding a 16-match winning streak, Konta looked every bit ready for primetime in the opening set, holding serve easily and engineering no fewer than five break point opportunities on the Kvitova serve. 

But the Czech powerhouse had won seven straight matches of her own since winning her third Connecticut Open title before the tournament began. Playing under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the second time this fortnight, Kvitova held her ground and converted her only break point opportunity with a little help from Konta, who threw in an ill-timed first double fault to fall one set behind.

Speaking with Pam Shriver after the match, Kvitova knew just how crucial that first set was to victory.

"It was a very difficult match, actually. 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."

With the momentum flipped, Kvitova continued to put pressure on the qualifier's serve in the second set and quickly broke and held to complete her resume of Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances.

"I won four great matches [in New Haven] even though I wasn't feeling really well in the first set but I was still able to win it, that's very important for the confidence. And coming to the US Open when I didn't have the best results but finally, I made it!"

Still dealing with mononucleosis, the amiable Czech has managed to draw some positives out of playing sick.

"Maybe my coaches are not very happy, but I learned that I don't have to practice that much!"

It may have been a somewhat sarcastic remark, but with four wins already under her belt in Flushing - all in straight sets - less just might be more for Kvitova.

Up next for the No.5 seed is perennial US Open quarterfinalist and No.26 seed Flavia Pennetta for a spot in the semifinals.