“She's a two-time Wimbledon champion, so I think her results speak for themselves,” declared Johanna Konta, wary of the threat possessed by Petra Kvitova.
The British No.1 has stuttered through the grass court season so far but demonstrated her positive personality to progress past Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(4), 6-1 on home turf.
Konta’s reward in the last 16 at the Aegon International Eastbourne is a duel with No.5 seed Kvitova.
"She plays incredibly well on the grass, I'm happy that I get to play against such a high-quality player, and hopefully we will be having a good match. I will be looking to just give my best and we will see where that takes me.”
The Czech powerhouse halted the world No.18’s run at the US Open last year in the fourth round 7-5, 6-3.
“She has a very aggressive game. She serves well, she hits her shots very clean and big and well,” stated the Eastbourne local.
“I think I'll definitely have to have my legs on me and really scramble to stay in points when I need to but also look to take my opportunities whenever they arise.”
I will be looking to just give my best and we will see where that takes me.
Konta put in a gritty display to steal the gruelling first set from Tsurenko on a tie-break having surrendered five break points chances at 5-5, before the Briton's confidence and dominance grew exponentially in the second set.
“That was an extremely tough match, I think both of us were playing very well, especially for that whole first set and particularly the beginning of the second,” said Konta.
“It was a helluva long first set, that's for sure. We played a lot of tennis in that and I had to fight for every point. But the more time I can get on the grass, the better, so I really enjoyed being out there. I’m grateful I get another chance out here tomorrow, I know I’m going to have to play incredibly well.”
Kvitova opened up proceedings on Centre Court and was handed an equally demanding contest with world No.45 Timea Babos.
Locked at 4-4 Kvitova displayed her grass court prowess to break with a clattering forehand winner and bruising backhand return at the toes of Babos. Serving for the set the world No.11 staved off two break back opportunities on the way to a 6-4 opener.
The Hungarian was far from deterred and broke immediately, but back stormed the 2011 and 2014 SW19 champion to force a tie-break which she edged 7-6(5).
Kvitova is relying on her coach to do the homework on the clash with Konta.
“I remember I played her in US Open last year, and it was difficult match. Something I played today, very similar. I know how she's playing well now,” reflected the 26-year-old.
However the fifth seed is not concerned by the ardent support home favourite Konta will receive on Centre Court,“I don't know really how she likes playing well on the grass, so I think that my coach will find out soon,” quipped Kvitova. “I know that she's a really difficult player, and she's a really nice person, as well. It will be I think good match for people, as well.”
“I hope that I will be able to find some fans who will support me, as well. I think 90 percent for her, for sure. It's probably going to be like Fed Cup, which is okay.”
