By Chris Oddo | Monday, June 30, 2014

 

2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova led a trio of Czechs into the Wimbledon quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over China's Shuai Peng.

Photo Source: Kieran Galvian/Camerasport

Three Czech mates have made a milestone at Wimbledon this year.

Americans Reach a New Low Mark at Wimbledon as Isner Falls

Petra Kvitova closed out her 6-3, 6-2 victory over China’s Shuai Peng, joining Lucie Safarova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in Wimbledon’s last eight, marking the first time in Open Era history that three Czechs have reached the quarterfinal at the same major.

It’s old hat for Kvitova, who has now reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in each of the last five seasons, but for Safarova and Zahlavova Strycova, the experience is brand new.

Safarova, another hard-serving lefty, albeit smaller and less powerful than Kvitova, crushed her compatriot Tereza Smitkova, 6-0, 6-2, to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal in nine career appearances. Zahlavova, who upset second-seeded Li Na in the third round, got by Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets to reach her first career quarterfinal at a major in her 32nd appearance at a major. The 28-year-old had never previously been beyond the third round.

“I don’t know,” said Petra Kvitova, when asked if she might be able to enlighten the world as to what precisely is going on with the Czech women this year at Wimbledon. “I think the grass suits us definitely.”

It suits Kvitova the best. The 2011 Wimbledon champion connected on 84 percent of her first-serve points and saved the only break points she faced against Peng, as she repeatedly flummoxed her opponent with rocket returns and well-struck groundstrokes that pinned Peng way behind the baseline.

Kvitova laced 25 winners against only seven unforced errors and broke serve on three of her seven break point opportunities to finish off Peng in an hour and one minute.

Kvitova, now 23-5 at Wimbledon for her career, will face Zahlavova Strycova for a spot in the semifinals, while Safarova will face Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.

Makarova raced past former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-3, 3-0, to reach her fourth major quarterfinal and first at Wimbledon.

In other action on Monday, Sabine Lisicki survived a three-setter with Ana Ivanovic in a match that was held over from Saturday, 6-4 3-6 6-1. Lisicki, last year’s runner-up, improved to 22-5 at Wimbledon with the triumph. The German is 20-18 at the other three Slams combined, and will face Yaroslava Shvedova in the round of 16 tomorrow.