Eighth seed Kvitova sets up third-round tie with Kristina Mladenovic after victory in three sets over Williams
Wednesday 15 August 2018 06:58, UK
Serena Williams was beaten 6-3 2-6 6-3 by Petra Kvitova in a second-round match at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Tuesday, ending the American's bid for a third title at the event.
Williams looked rusty in the first set, struggling to handle the Czech's booming left-handed serve and never created a break-point opportunity.
But the 23-times Grand Slam champion dug deep in the second, thumping serves and blasting returns to the delight of the supportive crowd under the lights.
Williams appeared to be in command when she broke Kvitova to start the deciding third set but the two-time Wimbledon champion elevated her service game and was defensively resolute to set up a third-round clash with Kristina Mladenovic.
For former world number one Williams, the loss is another setback as she attempts to get back to the top ranking after a difficult childbirth last year.
France's Mladenovic had earlier defeated qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova 6-3 6-0, while her sixth-seeded compatriot Caroline Garcia defeated fellow power hitter Victoria Azarenka 6-4 7-5 to advance to the third round.
Watch live coverage of the ATP Cincinnati Masters on Sky Sports Arena from 4pm on Wednesday, with Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and Juan Martin del Potro among those in action.