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Kvitova returns to quarters after 8 years

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PARIS: Petra Kvitova returned to the French Open quarterfinals for the first time in eight years on Monday.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova is through to the last eight at Roland Garros for just the second time. Her best run in Paris came when she reached the semifinals in 2012.


Seventh seed Kvitova, who missed last year’s tournament due to an arm injury, defeated China’s Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-4 and will next play German veteran Laura Siegemund.


“After eight years to be in the quarterfinal again, it’s great. I’m really happy for that, that I’m still able to play on all surfaces,” said Kvitova.


“When the roof is closed it’s like being indoors and I really love to play.”


Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame an eye problem to become the first Greek man to reach the last eight of the French Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.


The 22-year-old will now take on Andrey Rublev in a repeat of the recent Hamburg final which was won by the Russian.


Fifth seed Tsitsipas has won 12 successive sets at the tournament having been two sets down to Jaume Munar in the opening round.


Rublev, the 13th seed, also advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time after battling past Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).


In a match which featured 12 breaks of serve, the 22-year-old Rublev had been a break down in the second and third sets. He also had to save three set points in the fourth.


“I knew it would be tough,” said Rublev who arrived in Paris having reached his second US Open quarterfinal last month.


“I had a little bit of luck today. There was a lot of wind so you are going to lose your serve a lot in those conditions.”


FIRST ARAB WOMAN


Ons Jabeur is targeting a second quarterfinal in three Slams after becoming the first Arab woman to make the fourth round here.


The Tunisian 30th seed next faces 57th-ranked American Danielle Collins.


Siegemund, 32, advanced to her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal after defeating former junior champion Paula Badosa of Spain 7-5, 6-2.


She became the fourth unseeded player to make the last eight this year, joining Iga Swiatek, Nadia Podoroska and Martina Trevisan.


Siegemund won last month’s US Open women’s doubles titles alongside Vera Zvonareva. — AFP


French Open results


Men (fourth round)


Andrey Rublev (RUS x13) bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x18) 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-2


Women (fourth round)


Petra Kvitova (CZE x7) bt Zhang Shuai (CHN) 6-2, 6-4


Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Paula Badosa (ESP) 7-5, 6-2


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