• Rome Masters

Kvitova stunned as seeds tumble in Rome

ESPN staff
May 13, 2014
Petra Kvitova failed to capitalise on her advantage in the first set © Getty Images
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Fifth seed Petra Kvitova is out of the Italian Open after losing to Zhang Shuai in a final set in the second round in Rome.

Zhang secured a 7-6(6) 5-7 6-3 victory over the former Wimbledon champion to collect the 300th win of her career.

Kvitova was in control of the match after going 4-0 up in the first set. Zhang, though, reeled off five successive games to take a 5-4 lead.

The set went to a tiebreak, where it was Kvitova who had two points to clinch it at 6-4 in front. However, Zhang took four straight points to take the tiebreak and move in front in the match.

In the second set, it was Kvitova's turn to come from behind as the Czech came from 5-3 down to take it 7-5 and force a deciding set.

Zhang went 3-0 up in the third and final set, but Kvitova levelled at 3-3 to keep herself in the match. However, the fightback came to a halt in the seventh game as Zhang took the following three games to overcome the world No.6.

Wildcard Camila Giorgi stunned Dominika Cibulkova after beating the ninth seed 6-4 7-6(2) in the first round.

The Italian has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon and the US Open in the last two years. The 22-year-old also beat Maria Sharapova en route to the fourth round at Indian Wells this season.

Giorgi, making her debut in the main draw in Rome, appeared to suffer from nerves when serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set as a series of unforced errors handed Cibulkova the opportunity to stay in the tie.

Giorgi also squandered a chance to seal victory on match point, but in the tiebreak she recovered to take her total number of winners up to 31 to book her place in the second round.

"The pressure is positive. It's great that the fans come to see you," Giorgi said. "Playing at home happens only once per year."

Giorgi will face Christina McHale in the second round after she defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-3 4-6 6-1.

Angelique Kerber was another top-ranked player to exit the tournament as the seventh seed was beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 by Petra Cetkovska in the second round.

Australian Open champion Li Na encountered no problems as she booked her place in the third round with a 6-1 6-4 win over qualifier Casey Dellacqua.

Camila Giorgi defeated Maria Sharapova earlier in the year at Indian Wells © Getty Images
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