SYDNEY—Petra Kvitova is hoping for a strong performance at this year’s Australian Open following her victory in Sydney—and her three previous shortcomings in Melbourne.
The two-time Wimbledon champion admits that she did not play well at the year’s first Grand Slam each of the last three years, starting with her defeat to Maria Sharapova in the 2012 semifinals. Kvitova lost 6-4 in the third set.
The world No. 4 defeated Karolina Pliskova to win the tune-up title in Sydney, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), and feels that she is playing very well. But the Sharapova loss lingers.
“You mention Maria semifinal, I don't have really nice memories on that match,” Kvitova told TENNIS.com. “I had a lot of chances and I didn't make it. I think it's one of the more disappointing matches what I had. The past two years was just terrible and just didn't really thinking about them nicely.”
In 2013, Kvitova lost to Laura Robson in the second round of the Australian Open, 11-9 in the third set; last year she was stunned by world No. 88 Luksika Kumkhum in the first round.
“I need to do everything what I can this year to be better, because it's not nice, to lose the first or second round in the Grand Slam,” she said. "It's just bad and I know it, but it's happened. I'm not the only one. But it was tough loses over there, so I will hope that I can do better.
“I come to Melbourne tomorrow and I need to forget about the Sydney trophy to be ready and focused for the Melbourne. It's just really crazy world sometimes in tennis. I'm more mature, but we will see how it’s going there.”