Not for Petra Kvitova any thoughts of easing her way into the defence of her title.
Such was the speed of the reigning champion’s first-round victory over the world No.108 Kiki Bertens that the Czech could reasonably have arrived on Centre Court not in tennis kit but the garb of some modern super-heroine.
Watched by her parents Jiri and Pavla from the Royal Box, Kvitova absolutely blitzed Bertens 6-1, 6-0 in a lightning 35 minutes – the fastest victory by anyone on Tour in five years.
It was a miserably frustrating experience for the Dutchwoman, whose sole point against the champion’s serve arrived when Kvitova double-faulted in the last game of the match.
Evidently, missing Eastbourne with a virus has blunted the No.2 seed’s potential not in the slightest. She has arrived at Wimbledon in full-on formidable form – and yet after this match she declared that she had been nervous before going on court.
If that is true, then the thought of what she might yet achieve at times of cool self-assurance over the Fortnight ahead is mind-boggling.
“Yes, I’ll be quite happy if every time I’m nervous I play like this,” she smiled, amid laughter at her post-match press conference.
I served very well. Before the match you never know how it's going to be
“It was better than 2012 when I was defending my first title but nerves are healthy. I like them! I handled it. I was sick a few days ago and still played very well. Focusing on myself is the most important thing. There are so many great opponents here.
“I served very well. I’m glad how I played. But before the match you never know how it’s going to be. In the first round you are the big, big favourite to win. You’re standing on the court with a lot of expectation, not only from yourself but from all the people around, the media and everyone. You have to handle it well, so it’s always a struggle at the beginning of these tournaments. Opponents are more relaxed. It’s kind of tricky.”
Hmmm. Possibly Bertens might point out that her own end of the equation was trickier still.
It was impossible not to sympathise with the 23-year-old, whose match reached its peak of achievement when she held to love for 1-3 in the first.
Quite understandably, her frustration showed occasionally as she battled in vain to make some impression on Kvitova’s southpaw delivery.
Now and again on her own serve – never on Kvitova’s, of course – she was able to put together a well-constructed rally, earning warm applause from the crowd. But for a player who was ranked as high as 41 just two years ago, this was not an experience to treasure.
Even Kvitova looked as if she felt for her in the second set, although after the match she was briskly unsentimental, as champions should be. Asked if so overwhelming a win was “almost embarrassing”, Kvitova was quite clear.
“No,” said the two-time champion, who first lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish here four years ago. “I think it was nice. Unfortunately maybe for other people it was a little bit quick. My parents were here – 35 minutes. I have to say sorry to them. But I think they are happy anyway.”
As was she, dismissing talk of practising further today to make up for the brevity of the match.
Next up for Kvitova is Kurumi Nara, who stands all of 5ft1in (1.55m) to the champion’s six foot (1.8m).
Meanwhile, at the furthest point of the draw is the tantalising prospect of a final between Kvitova and Serena Williams, should the seedings work out. The Czech is the only woman to defeat Serena this year so far. If both women are at their best, a showdown between them here really would be a match worth seeing.
