By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, May 22, 2016
Petra Kvitova was two points from elimination, but rallied for a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 win over Danka Kovinic in her Roland Garros opener.
Photo credit: Christopher Levy
Beneath a dreary sky on Roland Garros' damp opening day, Petra Kvitova was in danger of sliding out of the tournament.
Kvitova was staggered, but won the final three games slashing her way into the second round scoring a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Danka Kovinic on Philippe Chatrier Court.
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Building a one-set, 3-0 lead, Kvitova appeared to be in command. But she created complications for herself and Kovinic rallied.
The 57th-ranked Kovinic, who has never surpassed the second round of a Grand Slam, won four consecutive games to snatch the second set.
In a horrid three double fault game, Kvitova gifted the break to her opponent.
Serving for the match at 5-4 in the decider, Kovinic was two points from the upset when she raced up to a mid-court ball and inexplicably played her reply right back at Kvitova.
The two-time Wimbledon champion fired a forehand pass crosscourt for break point. Kvitova cranked a forehand winner down the line and dropped into a squat screaming in celebration to break back.
Kvitova, who hit six of her 10 double faults in the decider, stamped a love hold for 6-5.
Another forehand winner gave the 10th-seeded Czech match point. Kovinic put a backhand into net ending an adventurous comeback.
The 2012 semifinalist will face Su-Wei Hsieh in the second round. Hsieh stopped Lara Arruabarrena 7-6 (6), 6-3. It will be the first meeting between Hsieh, and Kvitova, who is 3-2 on dirt since her run to the Stuttgart semifinals last month.
Swiss Viktorija Golubic defeated Alison Riske, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, sending the American to her seventh straight Grand Slam opening-round exit. Since reaching the 2013 Wimbledon third round, Riske has not won a major match.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova pounded Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-2, 6-0, powering into the second round for the eighth time.