PARIS – Former world number one Petra Kvitova is out of the
French Open after being stunned 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4) in the third
round by Estonia's Anett Kontaveit on Saturday.
Despite saving two match points, the two-time Wimbledon champion
Kvitova fell as Kontaveit overpowered her in both tie-breaks.
Meanwhile, US Open champion Sloane Stephens battled past Italy's
Camila Giorgi after dropping the first set to win 4-6, 6-1, 8-6.
Sloane Stephens of the U.S. beat Italy's Camila Giorgi to progress to the fourth round of the French Open. Photo: Michel Euler/AP Photo
Kvitova, the Czech eighth seed, trailed 5-3 in the first set and even
though she battled to force a tie-break, Kontaveit's punishing ground
strokes were too much to handle as the Estonian snatched the
advantage.
A consistent backhand gave Kontaveit two chances to serve out the
match but Kvitova fought back again in determined rallies, only to
run out of steam in the deciding tie-break and a desperate forehand,
while facing three match points, landed long and confirmed her exit.
Earlier on Philippe Chatrier, third-seeded ex-champion Garbine
Murguruza eased past Australia's Sam Stosur 6-0, 6-2 in 62 minutes
to secure her place in the fourth round.
However, in the men's event, French home favourite Lucas Pouille was
beaten 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 by Russia's Karen Khachanov.