Kvitova forced to go the distance

Petra Kvitova went the distance again as she moved into the second round of the US Open with victory over Japan’s Misaki Doi on Arthur Ashe.

The seventh seed plays a remarkable number of three-setters and a second-set lapse cost her again, although she recovered well in the decider to defeat Doi 6-2 3-6 6-1.

Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, has been consistent only in her inconsistency this season and yesterday’s win was a fifth three-setter out of her last six victories.