World No.11 Petra Kvitova was on cloud nine at Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Czech athlete defeated Laura Siegemund in straight sets to book her second semi-final appearance at Roland Garros. Moreover, she’s making her entry into the final four in Paris after a span of eight years, which is incredible!

Kvitova is yet to drop a set at French Open 2020 and she maintained her consistency in the quarterfinals as well. The scoreboard read 6-3, 6-3 in favor of Petra Kvitova, but she had to work extremely hard to put this win in her bag.

Kvitova breathed fire in the first set and started off in convincing fashion. The 30-year-old notched up six aces in the first set against her German opponent. However, she faced retaliation in the second from Siegemund, who also happens to be the oldest debutant in a grand slam quarterfinal, since Norma Marsh at the 1971 Australian Open. 

Kvitova faced early struggles in the second set, but closed out the match comfortably. This win marked a special and an emotional one for the Czech. Kvitova mentioned that she was “pretty proud of everything” she did in the game. 

This year’s Roland Garros is a challenging tournament. The conditions are extreme which tests an athlete’s mental strength. But in spite of the tough conditions, Kvitova managed to keep a strong foot forward and cruise her way into the semi-finals. 

“I think I’m still same clay player as I was before, but I just think that I kind of find those conditions here and I’m still mentally tough,” Kvitova said. But there was one more thing that needed to be addressed. 

2012 or 2020: Which semi-final means more to Petra Kvitova?

Making a semi-final appearance at Roland Garros is a commendable feat. Not many have had the privilege of making it to the final four in Paris. Even a terrific player like Kvitova is only making her second-ever RG semis, and it has come eight years apart. 

She faced Maria Sharapova in 2012, who denied Kvitova a victory and a place in the finals. Though she’s yet to face Sofia Kenin in the semi-finals at French Open 2020, which one does she cherish more? 

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Kvitova responded by saying it is “tough” to pick one among the two. But she did mention that she didn’t play her best tennis in 2012 and was under a lot of “pressure.” But what about now? 

“To be honest right now to be in the semi-final after everything I have been through, which we talked a little bit about, it probably means more because I couldn’t imagine that I can be in the semifinal of the Grand Slam & final of the Australian Open even before,” Kvitova said. 

It has indeed been a wonderful couple of years for Petra Kvitova. She had to endure a lot over the past few years and watching her overcome all obstacles to once again shine in the WTA circuit brings a smile on one’s face.

“I’m really glad in the last couple of years I improved my results in the Grand Slams, too,” Kvitova mentioned. “So definitely I’m proud of this, and I hope this journey, it’s not end yet.”

Petra Kvitova will now face American Sofia Kenin in the semi-finals. In head-to-head meetings, it is Kvitova who has a 100% success rate with two wins in two games. Can she wear off the ghosts from 2012 and book a ticket in the French Open 2020 final?