The editors of TENNIS.com preview all eight Australian Open quarterfinals.
What Kvitova has to do to win:
With Serena Williams’ defeat, the No. 2 seed becomes the tournament favorite. Which means she needs to block that out immediately. To beat Errani, a fit wallboard, Kvitova will have to measure her aggression. She’ll be able to attack, which she likes, but she may have to hit an extra ball or two to end a rally, which she doesn’t always like. Patience won’t be a virtue; it will be a necessity.
What Errani has to do to win:
The Italian must defend and make as many as balls as possible, and then she must wait. Kvitova has come out hot in her matches so far, but in the last two she’s eventually stumbled. If she plays her best, Errani is in trouble. But Errani is pesky enough to keep Kvitova out there long enough that her game goes south. Anything can happen after that.
The Pick:
Kvitova in two sets. The Czech is the most powerful player left in the draw; if she’s clicking, she wins. But Kvitova remains a risky best, because few players go from great to horrendous so quickly or so often. (Witness her whiffed overhead against Ivanovic). But Kvitova has showed in this event that she can pull herself back from the brink of disaster and win without her best.
More Previews: