ISTANBUL – Holder Petra Kvitova was stunned at the WTA Championships in Istanbul on Tuesday with a defeat that reduced her to tears, while Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova began their campaigns in top form at the end-of-season competition.
Sixth seed Kvitova was toppled 6-3, 6-2 by Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in a contest that saw the Czech commit a whopping 41 unforced errors to only five from her opponent in the round robin competition featuring the world’s top eight women.
Wimbledon and US Open champion Williams eased to a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Germany’s Angelique Kerber, while French Open champion Sharapova beta Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2.
Kvitova, so impressive winning the 2011 title, had trouble keeping the ball in court off the ground, while fourth-seeded Radwanska put on a smart performance, easily moving her opponent out of position.
It was the Czech’s first loss in 25 matches on indoor hard courts dating back to October 2010.
Kvitova came into her news conference with tears in her eyes and admitted having lost control of her emotions. -Reuters
