Petra Kvitova’s comeback continues with another tough loss to Gracheva at Indian Wells
WTA
Petra Kvitova once again struggled with her rhythm, falling to Varvara Gracheva 6-4, 3-6, 4-6. The unforced errors took their toll on the two-time Grand Slam champion, who now faces her second consecutive defeat since returning after a year-long maternity break.
The Frenchwoman didn’t have her best match but was helped by Kvitova’s mistakes and her still-imperfect serving. World No. 70 Gracheva advances to the second round and will face ninth-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva.
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First Set
The lack of rhythm was evident when, in the first game, Kvitova committed two double faults after having game points in her favor. Nevertheless, she managed to pull through her first service game with some difficulty, after facing three break points. In the third game, breaks began for both players, signaling a trend of service errors.
Kvitova played well from the return, but when attacking, she made several unforced errors, some of which were outside the doubles lines. Throughout the set, the Czech player always managed to stay ahead in break points. Gracheva managed to equalize at 4-4, but quickly lost her service.
The two-time Grand Slam champion held her serve for the last time and won the set 6-4. Neither player showed convincing service stats—Kvitova won 53% of her service points, while Gracheva won just 48%. However, Kvitova was more effective in securing 3/7 break opportunities, compared to the Frenchwoman’s 2/8.
Second Set
At the start of the second set, it seemed like both players were finally finding their rhythm on serve. The former world No. 2 continued to make unforced errors but managed to hold her service games, improving from a 58% first serve points won rate in the first set to 75% in the second.
Kvitova has always relied on her service throughout her career, but the lack of rhythm caught up with her. In the 6th game, Gracheva broke Kvitova’s serve—thanks to a couple of double faults—and took a 5-2 lead. That single break was enough to take the set 6-3, with Gracheva losing only three points on her serve.
Third Set
In a nerve-wracking final set, both players got early breaks. The Frenchwoman took a second consecutive break and led 3-1. It seemed like the match was slipping away from Kvitova, but she recovered the break and won three consecutive games. As in the first set, everything was tied at 4-4.
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However, the luck was different for Kvitova this time as she easily dropped her serve, and Gracheva closed out the match with her own service, claiming victory 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Kvitova secured 5/11 break points, while Gracheva won 6/18 in total.
Gracheva advances to the second round to face ninth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva. Meanwhile, Kvitova, after her second match since returning, will travel to Miami to compete in the second tournament of the Sunshine Double. The 2023 champion will be in an ideal setting to seek her first victory since returning from maternity leave.
Match Statistics Kvitova vs. Gracheva
| Kvitova | VS | Gracheva |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 2 | Aces | 1 |
| 8 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 67% (74/111) | 1st Service Percentage | 55% (44/80) |
| 59% (44/74) | 1st Service Points Won | 68% (30/44) |
| 37% (14/38) | 2nd Service Points Won | 56% (20/36) |
| 67% (12/18) | Break Points Saved | 55% (6/11) |
| 57% (8/14) | Service Games | 67% (10/15) |
| Return | ||
| 32% (14/44) | 1st Return Points Won | 41% (30/74) |
| 44% (16/36) | 2nd Return Points Won | 63% (24/38) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 2h 23m | Match Duration | 2h 23m |
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