Krejčíková’s match with Hibinová was characterized by lost serves for a long time. The 26-year-old winner of last year’s Roland Garros lost serve twice in the beginning, but thanks to three breaks she took the lead after all. At the end of the first set, she broke the Japanese opponent’s serve once more and converted the third set point.
Krejčíková also had two more breaks in the second set. At 5:3, she served to advance to the quarterfinals, but did not take the chance. She did not end the game even later at the score of 6:5 when Hibinová was serving and did not earn a single match point. In the shortened game, the Japanese woman succeeded after the third used set point (7:5).
The decision was made in the eighth game of the third act after Hibinová got a break for 5-3. On her serve, Krejčíková then had four break point opportunities, but failed again. The defending champion used 7 of 22 break chances in the match and made eight double faults.
Havlíčková bravely resisted Kontaveitová
In the opening game on Thursday, they defeated Russia Anastasija Potapovová 6:4, 7:6 over her Chinese opponent Chu Lin and on the central court in Stromovka they were subsequently replaced by the pair Lucie Havlíčková – Anett Kontaveit.
The Estonian world number two confirmed the position of the highest seed against the courageously defiant seventeen-year-old Czech and she too rejoiced at advancing after two sets, specifically 6:4 and 6:3.
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Havlíčková reached the second round of the WTA competition for the first time in her career. Although she is separated from Kontaveitova by 785 places in the rankings, she started the match aggressively. However, she lost her serve in the third game, while the native of Tallinn did not hesitate during the opening set.
Also in the second set, the champion of the junior Roland Garros 2022 was not intimidated by the favorite. Even a lost serve in the beginning did not break her and she immediately returned Kontaveit’s break. She fended off three break points in the third game and continued to hold on to hope. However, the finalist of last year’s Tournament of Champions broke the serve of her Czech opponent again at 3:3 and with three games in a row she celebrated progressing to the top eight, where Potapova awaits her.
“I have to say that so many people haven’t congratulated me after the defeat. That’s new,” Havlíčková said with a smile at the press conference. “The impressions are good. I’m sorry that I lost, but it was extremely difficult to win. In fact, it was almost impossible. I take only the best from the match,” added the talented tennis player.
Kontaveitova congratulated her on her performance. “It was a tough and treacherous match. Lucie served great and it was difficult on the return. When we were playing for important points, I couldn’t flinch. I’m glad I won, and next time I can improve what I didn’t do today,” she said Estonian.
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