French Open 2017: Petra Kvitova wins opening match after lengthy lay-off
Two-time Wimbledon champion up and running at Roland Garros
Sunday 28 May 2017 18:47, UK
Petra Kvitova made a winning return from a lengthy lay-off after a knife attack at her home in December by cruising into the French Open second round.
The two-time Wimbledon champion struggled to hold back the tears as she swept aside American Julia Boserup 6-3 6-2 in her first match since suffering career-threatening injuries to her left playing hand when she tackled an intruder at her home in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov.
Kvitova was left fighting to save her career after the attack, admitting her hand was "still not 100 per cent" while speaking to reporters at Roland Garros on Friday.
Her parents Jiri and Pavla and brothers Jiri and Libor were in the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier, with her team decked out in matching T-shirts saying 'Courage, Belief, Pojd ('Come on' in Czech).
The 15th seed seemed to be inspired, winning the opening point of the match with a sweeping cross-court forehand and needed just 73 minutes to overcome world No 86 Boserup.
"It's a pleasure to be here, I'm really glad to have made the decision that I'm going to play here," Kvitova said afterwards.
"Thank you for everything, you helped me through this difficult time.
"I'm glad with how I played today. There are a few things to improve but what can I expect after such a long time."
Kvitova, a French Open semi-finalist in 2012, will face Bethanie Mattek-Sands or Evgeniya Rodina in the next round.
Venus Williams started her 20th French Open with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win over China's Wang Qiang.
The American veteran, who made her Roland Garros debut in 1997 and was runner-up to sister Serena in Paris in 2002, will next face Japan's Kurumi Nara.
Nara defeated 15-year-old American talent Amanda Anisimova in three sets.
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