US Open: Petra Kvitova beats Yanina Wickmayer on day of sapping heat as Garbine Muguruza falls in straight sets

The temperature was already 31C and the humidity 65 per cent when the players walked out on to Court 17 for the day’s opening match at 11am

Petra Kvitova can struggle more than most players in the oppressive heat and humidity at the US Open, which left the two-time Wimbledon champion especially pleased to win her first-round match here on Tuesday in just 72 minutes. On a day of energy-sapping heat and humidity, Kvitova beat Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 6-4.

The temperature was already 31C and the humidity 65 per cent when the players walked out on to Court 17 for the day’s opening match at 11am. The conditions have become increasingly uncomfortable here over the last two days and although the temperature climbed during the day the humidity was forecast to be at its highest in the morning.

Kvitova, who suffers from asthma, has had her troubles at Flushing Meadows in the past, though it was her performances here last year, when she reached the quarter-finals before losing a memorable battle with Venus Williams, that offered her the greatest encouragement following her return to competition following the horrific knife attack she endured at the end of 2016.

Kvitova has been in outstanding form for most of this year, despite her disappointment last month at the All England Club, where nerves got the better of her as she lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round. Elsewhere Kvitova has won five titles, more than any other player on the WTA tour. Her tally of 45 victories is bettered only by Simona Halep, the world No 1, who has won one more.

Her determination to get the job done quickly against Wickmayer was evident from the start. The Czech was quickly into her stride, serving well and hitting her ground strokes with her customary power. By the end of the match she had hit 28 winners to just eight by Wickmayer. Within 17 minutes Kvitova was 5-0 up and within 24 minutes she had taken the first set, though there had been signs that Wickmayer was starting to find some form.

The Belgian held serve in the opening game of the second set and forced Kvitova to save two break points in the second before play was held up for more than five minutes after a spectator was taken ill. The break might have been a welcome relief for the players, who sat in the shade with ice towels wrapped around their shoulders.

Petra Kvitova hits a return against Yanina Wickmayer (EPA)

However, it was Wickmayer who appeared to benefit the most as the world No 94 broke serve for the first and only time and then moved into a 4-1 lead. Kvitova’s response was to win the next five games and the match. With Wickmayer serving at 4-4 and 0-15 Kvitova played the shot of the match, a superb sliced backhand cross-court winner. Wickmayer double-faulted on the next point and Kvitova was soon serving for the match.

At 5-4 the Czech had to save one break point before going to match point with an ace, which she converted when Wickmayer netted a forehand.

“I played great tennis in the first set,” Kvitova said afterwards. “I just couldn’t hold it in the second set and she broke my serve, but I was still believing, even when I lost my one service game. I worked hard and made sure there wasn’t a third set. She gave me a chance on her serve afterwards and from then on it was just a case of fighting.”

Petra Kvitova celebrates clinching the first set (USA Today Sports) (USA TODAY Sports)

Given what happened at Wimbledon, Kvitova will be taking things one match at a time. “I’m not really looking too much ahead,” she said. “I know I played great tennis last year here and it was an amazing time for me. So far this season it’s been unbelievable. I couldn’t have imagined myself winning five titles already and being here on the court again playing great tennis.”

Kvitova will now play China’s Yafan Wang, who is playing in only her fifth Grand Slam tournament. The world No 90 beat Anna Schmiedlova 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

Alison van Uytvanck, who created one of the biggest shocks at Wimbledon when she beat Garbine Muguruza, fell at the first hurdle here when she was beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Lesia Tsurenko. Jelena Ostapenko, the world No 10, was made to work hard for her place in the second round before completing a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Andrea Petkovic after more than two and a quarter hours. With the tournament’s heat rule in operation, the two women were allowed to leave the court for 10 minutes at the end of the second set.