In the 2nd round of the Connecticut Open, Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova faced off against Madison Keys. Coming in to the match Kvitova and Keys were tied one a piece in their head-to-head matchup, with Keys winning in straight sets at this year's Australian Open in their last meeting.
It was a battle that lasted 1 hour and 46 minutes and it ended up going to the more experienced Kvitova. Kvitova won in 3 sets 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The 5th ranked and 2nd-seeded Kvitova showed mental fortitude while playing well in the last two sets over the 19th ranked Keys.
Keys comes out firing
In the 1st set, Keys made a point to put Kvitova on her heels on a point-to-point basis. With an identical 83% of service points won on 1st and 2nd serves Keys proved to be very efficient. As a result of the good service point statistics she would not face a single break point the entire set.
With only one break point opportunity in the first set, Keys would convert it to take the 1st set 6-4.
Kvitova turns match around
The experience of Kvitova was shown in the 2nd set as she made sure Keys would not take control. Even with 0 aces, Kvitova still had the ability to consistently hold. Kvitova would save all four break points faced as she made sure to maintain her 2nd set lead.
It would only take two breaks for Kvitova to wrap up the 2nd set 6-1 and as a result, the match would head to a decider.
Experience over youth
Kvitova's mental fortitude on break points would prove to be the difference. The Czech would hold off the bat and put pressure on Keys' serve right away. Soon after, Kvitova would convert on two of three break points to take the lead. The 20-year-old Keys youthful inexperience would prove to be a factor as Kvitova would ride out the lead with consecutive holds.
Kvitova would book her place in the quarterfinals as she would cruise to a 6-2 2nd set finish.
What's next?
With the victory Petra Kvitova plays 7th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarterfinals.