The second seed needed only 35 minutes for a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Dutchwoman on Centre Court.
Advertisement
Highly seeded players rarely do anticipate that sort of quick departure, of course, and four past Wimbledon champions in action Tuesday all won in straight sets as the sun, unobstructed by clouds, brought the temperature to about 85 degrees (30 Celsius).
“I think that Serena has a really great chance to do it”, said 2014 Wimbledon champion Kvitova of Williams’ Grand Slam bid. “I was happy I played aggressive”, he said.
“But when I was on the court and people were clapping the atmosphere was unbelievable”, Kvitova said.
Kvitova, also the 2011 champion, dropped just one point on serve and next meets Kurumi Nara of Japan for a place in the third round.
In other play involving seeds, No. 17 Ukrainian Elina Svitolina overcame Japanese Misaki Doi 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, No. 20 Spaniard Garbine Muguruza grounded American Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-1 and Brit Heather Watson upended No. 32 Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 1-6, 6-3, 8-6 at this grass-court fortnight.
“I am really glad how I played as well”.
The ever-present threat from Williams aside, Kvitova admitted she is far better prepared to handle the Wimbledon champion baggage than back in 2011.
Bouchard seemed to be the new star of women’s tennis previous year when she reached at least the semifinals at the first three Grand Slam tournaments.
The 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 defeat against the qualifier was 12th seeded Bouchard’s 12th loss in her last 14 matches and will see her drop out of the world top 20.
The only blot on that particular front came when she served a double fault when leading 5-0 in the second set. But before the match you never know how it’s going to be. I mean, it’s great.
Kvitova next faces Serbian ex- world number one Jelena Jankovic, seeded 28th, in the round of 32.
The two-time Wimbledon champion was asked to elaborate on what she could improve on.
As he usually does after a match, Murray threw his wristbands into the crowd after beating Robin Haase in straight sets in the second round on Court 1 – and happened to hit Wimbledon chairman Philip Brook, who was sitting next Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla. The usually affable Djokovic added: “I’m going to say that there are certain ways of communication which is encouragement, which can kind of motivate me to play a certain point”.
The sisters also withdrew from the Australian Open this year.
Advertisement
That remains Kukushkin’s best run at a major, although he did reach the third round at Wimbledon previous year, where he lost to Nadal.
