INDIAN WELLS, Calif — Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova misplaced a decent three-setter within the opening spherical of Indian Wells on Wednesday, falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to France’s Varvara Gracheva.
The loss leaves Kvitova looking for her first win since returning to the tour following the beginning of her first youngster in July. She additionally misplaced within the first spherical in Austin final week in her first match following a 16-month absence.
Kvitova, who was granted a wild card for the BNP Paribas Open, grabbed the primary set as each gamers struggled to regulate their serve on a cloudy and breezy day on Stadium One courtroom.
Gracheva settled in to stage the match and jumped out to a 3-1 lead within the deciding set.
Kvitova refused to go quietly, successful three straight video games to take a 4-3 lead within the third, however Gracheva took management from there, dominating the ultimate three video games.
Gracheva, who subsequent faces Russian teenage phenomenon Mirra Andreeva, applauded Kvitova.
“I actually wish to congratulate her,” Gracheva mentioned in an on-court interview. “As a result of she had a toddler fairly not too long ago and I am so joyful that she now has the function of a mom and a tennis participant, which could be very demanding.
“It’s extremely inspiring for sports activities, athletes, ladies — it is simply superb. Petra, my admiration to you — you are the perfect!”
Caroline Garcia additionally superior to the second spherical with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Bernarda Pera to arrange a showdown towards defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek, the No. 2 seed, has a 4-1 document towards Garcia.
On the boys’s facet, Kei Nishikori emerged the victor in a rollercoaster match with Jaume Munar to advance 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (3).
The 2014 US Open finalist will face No. 18 seed Ugo Humbert within the second spherical.
Reuters contributed to this report.