Petra Kvitova made a winning return on Sunday at Roland Garros as she posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over American Julia Boserup in one hour and 14 minutes to advance to the second round.
The Czech two-time Wimbledon champion was playing her first match since November after she was forced to sit out the past six month to recover from hand surgery after being attacked by a knife-wielding home invader in her apartment last December.
Kvitova hit 31 winners against just 20 unforced errors in her straight-sets triumph, and won 78 per cent of points on her first serve.
She was an impressive 7/8 at the net, and saved all three break points she faced.
The 27-year-old received a standing ovation from the Philippe Chatrier crowd, with her team all on their feet, dressed in Nike t-shirts with the words “Courage. Belief. Pojd” printed across.
Kvitova awaits the winner of the first round between Evgeniya Rodina and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Here’s how the tennis community reacted to her return…
PETRA! #imnotcryingyourecrying
— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) May 28, 2017
Good things happen to good people..👏👏👏 https://t.co/QD6KYQdFT0
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) May 28, 2017
Welcome back @Petra_Kvitova - fantastic to have you back playing - and congratulations for winning today- DO TOHO!:)
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 28, 2017
Tears in my eyes watching @Petra_Kvitova winning her first come back match at RG 😢😢😢 so emotional and inspiring... Bravo Petra ! #fighter
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) May 28, 2017
I'm crying the happiest of tears 💙💙 https://t.co/07AOzi3yPJ
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) May 28, 2017