The only surprise thereafter was that Kvitova kept the score down to one break. The Czech’s shots — although powerful — were too often fired near the middle of the court where the American could cope with them easily.
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For last year’s champion, the end of the road. For the modern-day champion of champions, a powerful statement of intent. Serena Williams wants her title back.
The 6-3, 7-5 scoreline sounds close but, in truth, this match never felt that way. Petra Kvitova, the Czech girl who stunned many to win the Venus Rosewater Dish here last year, had no answer to Williams.