'Crazy': Petra Kvitova's celebration fail in bizarre French Open rally
Petra Kvitova nearly cost herself a point in the French Open semi-final after celebrating too early, despite her opponent returning the shot.
Australian Open finalist Sofia Kenin marched into her second grand slam final of the year, after Polish teenager Iga Swiatekwith made history, a commanding 6-4, 7-5 victory against Kvitova at the French Open on Thursday.
WOW: Coach exposes Nadal's 'uncomfortable' French Open truth
'NEVER SEEN THAT': Tennis world fumes over 'absurd' scenes
But during the thrilling encounter, Kvitova was “lucky” she didn’t completely switch off after she started to celebrate before realising the point wasn’t over.
The seventh seed began to tuned away to celebrate and clenched her fist, before realising Kenin had managed to get the ball back in play.
Fortuntately for Kvitova she was able to spin around and finish off the point.
Eurosport commentator Simond Reed said: “She was lucky, Kvitova”.
“She was not as alert as she should have been at the net. She suddenly realised it was going over.”
When you think you've won the point but the net has other ideas 🙈@Petra_Kvitova #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/QIAQUtJLox
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 8, 2020
The American will now face Polish teenager Iga Zwiatek in a fascinating final on Saturday after the youngster demolished the Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.
Fans couldn’t believe Kvitova was still able to win the point after prematurely celebrating.
Kvitova with two fist pumps in one point: One after she *thought* she’d won the point, one after she *actually* won the point. 😂#RG20
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) October 8, 2020
OMG WHAT A POINT, I thought that rally was over like 3 times before it was over
and Kvitova celebrated before it's over
#RolandGarros— M Hilmy Fa👻boo!👻zi (@MHilmyFauzi666) October 8, 2020
Kvitova having to abort her fist pump after realising she hadn’t won the point yet 🤣
(and then winning the point anyway)#RG20— Will (@WillBeckman_) October 8, 2020
Kvitova breaks back for 2-4 in a crazy point that has both women racing to the net.
Game on?#RolandGarros— Live Tennis (@livetennis) October 8, 2020
#Kenin’s ball clipped the tape and Petra prematurely celebrated … but recovered to win the point like the genius magician that she is! 😍😍😍 #Kvitova #RG20 pic.twitter.com/2F3s0sToVT
— •Han• (@Tazzie_D) October 8, 2020
Petra: dont celebrate before the point is over :)
thankfully she got to it at the net— Turkish Mommy (@TurkishMommy) October 8, 2020
Kvitova was fortunate to have won that point.
— Sports Maven (@MavenOfSports) October 8, 2020
Kenin wins big points in tough French Open semi
Seventh seed Kvitova, in her first semi-final appearance at Roland Garros since 2012, was often forced out of position by the crafty 21-year-old Kenin.
Kenin raced into a 4-1 lead as Kvitova showed some nerves after holding her first service game to love and, despite her Czech opponent finally getting into the groove, it was enough for the American to bag the first set.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova lost her serve to fall 3-2 behind in the second before breaking back for 5-5, only to drop serve again.
Kenin did not miss her chance as she served for the match for the second time, seeing it through when Kvitova's cross-court forehand flew wide.
Earlier, Swiatek had reached her first grand slam final at the age of just 19, ending the fairytale run of Podoroska with another dominant victory.
In one of the most unexpected slam semi-finals in recent times, Swiatek won easily to become the lowest-ranked women's finalist at the French Open since the WTA computer rankings began in 1975.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.