Kvitova beats Garcia to reach US Open fourth round

Petra Kvitova reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since her career-threatening hand injury by beating France’s Caroline Garcia in the US Open third round.
The Czech 13th seed won the first set in just 25 minutes before serving out a tighter second set to win 6-0 6-4.
Kvitova hit 22 winners and 14 unforced errors in an impressive one hour, 13-minute victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I do feel much more better and closer to my top level,” she said.
“I think that I really played great today, as well.”
Kvitova was stabbed by an intruder in her home in December last year and suffered lacerations to her left hand.
The 27-year-old returned to action at the French Open in May and reached the second round, before falling at the same stage at Wimbledon.
“It’s much easier to come back and play, definitely, compared to first tournaments after my comeback,” said Kvitova.
“I’m still not there, for sure. I think still my hand is not 100% ready, so I do feel hopefully that I do have, like, space to improve.
“But on the other hand, I will be very lucky if I
am playing like this every day.”
The two – time Wimbledon champion will play Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza or Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova in round four.