Petra Kvitova crashes out of Indian Wells in first round defeat to Varvara Gracheva

Ranked No. 70 in the world, Gracheva secured 68 percent of points on her first serve and 56 percent on her second, sealing the victory over the 34-year-old Czech in two hours and 22 minutes.

Indian Wells: Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was eliminated from the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells on Thursday (IST), losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to France’s Varvara Gracheva in the first round.

World No. 70 Gracheva won 68 percent of points on her first serve and 56 percent on her second to take the match in two hours and 22 minutes against the 34-year-old Czech.

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Kvitova, who gave birth to son Petr last July, returned from an 18-month maternity leave last week in Austin, where she lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Jodie Burrage in the first round.

Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, is still searching for her first victory since returning from a hiatus.

“I really want to congratulate her,” Gracheva said in an on-court interview. “She had a child quite recently and I’m so happy that she now has the role of a mother and a tennis player, which is very demanding. It’s very inspiring for sports, athletes, women – it’s just amazing. Petra, my admiration to you. You’re the best.”

Kvitova, 34, struggled for rhythm against her Russian-born opponent, committing a series of uncharacteristic unforced errors, including eight double faults, reports Xinhua.

Gracheva will meet Russian ninth seed Mirra Andreeva in the next round with a place in the last 32 at stake. Andreeva, 17, defeated three Grand Slam winners en route to becoming the youngest ever WTA 1000 champion in Dubai last month.

In other action early on Day 1, France’s Caroline Garcia defeated American Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-4, while New Zealand’s Lulu Sun toppled Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(2).

Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto went through when Mexico’s Renata Zarazua was forced to retire, trailing 6-4, 1-0.