World No. 3 Petra Kvitova is hoping a tough fitness regime will deliver her to the top spot.
Turkish training —
World No. 3 Petra Kvitova is hoping a tough fitness regime will deliver her to the top spot.
The Wimbledon champion began 2012 in fine style as she teamed up with compatriot Tomas Berdych to win the Hopman Cup teams exhibition tournament in Perth.
High hopes —
The Wimbledon champion began 2012 in fine style as she teamed up with compatriot Tomas Berdych to win the Hopman Cup teams exhibition tournament in Perth.
Kvitova was beaten by China's French Open champion Li Na in the semifinals of her next event, the Sydney International.
Sydney setback —
Kvitova was beaten by China's French Open champion Li Na in the semifinals of her next event, the Sydney International.
The left-hander also reached the last four at the season's opening grand slam, the Australian Open, but lost to Maria Sharapova to end her hopes of becoming the new world No. 1 as the Russian avenged her Wimbledon final thrashing.
Sharapova's revenge —
The left-hander also reached the last four at the season's opening grand slam, the Australian Open, but lost to Maria Sharapova to end her hopes of becoming the new world No. 1 as the Russian avenged her Wimbledon final thrashing.
Kvitova bounced back with two wins as the Czech Republic reached the semifinals of the Fed Cup with victory over Germany in Stuttgart in early February.
Fed fighter —
Kvitova bounced back with two wins as the Czech Republic reached the semifinals of the Fed Cup with victory over Germany in Stuttgart in early February.
She is a big hit in her home nation, having helped the East European country win the Fed Cup final last year.
Fan favorite —
She is a big hit in her home nation, having helped the East European country win the Fed Cup final last year.
After injury and illness forced her out of tournaments in Qatar and Dubai, Kvitova was beaten by American teenager Christina McHale in the third round at California's Indian Wells event in March.
Desert defeat —
After injury and illness forced her out of tournaments in Qatar and Dubai, Kvitova was beaten by American teenager Christina McHale in the third round at California's Indian Wells event in March.
Worse was to come in Key Biscayne, Florida, when Kvitova lost her opening match to Venus Williams, who was playing her first tournament after a long absence due to an incurable illness.
Venus rises again —
Worse was to come in Key Biscayne, Florida, when Kvitova lost her opening match to Venus Williams, who was playing her first tournament after a long absence due to an incurable illness.
Kvitova came to the fore when she won her first grand slam title at the prestigious English grass-court event last July.
Wimbledon winner —
Kvitova came to the fore when she won her first grand slam title at the prestigious English grass-court event last July.