Dulgheru Breaks Kvitova's Spell

Since taking the tennis world by storm with her surreal run to the Warsaw title in 2009, Alexandra Dulgheru kept a low profile. Some wins here and there, but no major breakthrough performance. However, her results were enough to establish her as a constant top 30 figure. Unfortunately though, lately things didn't go that well and, following a string of poor performances which saw her barely drop out of the top 50, she lost her status as Romania's highest ranked player, being surpassed by young gun Irina Begu. With her only highlight this year being the Miami quarterfinal, Alexandra came into her first round clash with Petra Kvitova as the clear underdog. The Czech is still resting on the laurels of her Wimbledon triumph and, after a doubty summer, many were wondering if she can raise her game and shine again. 

The beginning of the match seemed to indicate that we are in for a short encounter, as Petra quickly set up a 2-0 lead. The Romanian fought back and, after a topsy-turvy display, she won the first set on a tiebreak. The second set started in a similar manner, with Kvitova racing in front. However, she was pegged back by an astonishing 53 unforced errors, thus allowing the tenacious Dulgheru to pick up an unexpected 7-6,6-3 win. Kvitova's departure is the first big shock of this year's US Open. It also marks the first time in the Open Era that the Wimbledon champion is dumped out in the first round at Flushing Meadows.

Moreover, her defeat comes to fuel recent debate about a disrupted WTA tour which is desperately lacking its past dominant forces (i.e. Evert, Navratilova, Graf, Seles, Hingis, the Williams sisters or Henin). After Justine's first retirement in 2009, no other player was capable of filling in her place. Ivanovic had a brief moment of glory after winning the French Open but quickly faded away. Serena and Kim both showed potential, but they play only part-time and choose to focus on the majors so, realistically, they cannot issue any claims on the number 1 ranking. Nonetheless, after her cool blooded success at Wimbledon, many were betting on Petra to step up and assume this role. However, following her pre-Wimbledon misfortunate, their prospect looks slightly flawed.

Kvitova was unable to capitalize on her Wimbledon dream run, losing first round at the next Grand Slam. The powerful Czech was beaten 6-7,3-6 by Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru.

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