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Petkovic discovers love for Wimbledon

Germany's Andrea Petkovic has beaten Nao Hibino 3-6 7-5 6-2 in her opening match at Wimbledon.

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Source: AAP


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Andrea Petkovic is smitten by Wimbledon and wants 2016 to be the year that the romance does not fizzle out in the first week.

The 28-year-old German beat Nao Hibino 3-6 7-5 6-2 in her opener on Wednesday at the one grand slam where she has cruelly always struggled.

A French Open semi-finalist two years ago, and former quarter-finalist at the Australian Open and US Open, Petkovic has reached the third round three times at Wimbledon, but gone no further.

Yet she has a special place in her heart for the event, especially after Wimbledon gave her a helping hand during her comeback, handing the former world No.9 a wild card in 2013 after a long injury absence from the tour.

"I love it here," Petkovic said.

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"I've had a strange love affair with grass because it wasn't love at first sight.

"It's been a growing love, maybe like when you have an old school friend that you meet again after 10 years and suddenly you realise - 'Ah that's the one, I actually kind of like him'.

"I've never done better than third round here, so that's still one of my dreams, to reach the second week of Wimbledon."

Agnieszka Radwanska, meanwhile, took refuge under the Centre Court roof as the former Wimbledon runner-up eased through her opening test.

The Polish third seed won 6-2 6-1 against Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova, a 22-year-old who missed Wimbledon last year while serving a six-month drugs ban.

Wimbledon will have a roof above Court One from 2019, and Radwanska would like to see the option available elsewhere in the grounds too.

Radwanska pointed out that Wimbledon lags behind the Australian Open for court cover, with the year's opening grand slam having three courts with retractable roofs.

"I know it's a big thing to build a roof. It's not easy. But, of course, the more roofs, the better," she said.

"I think in Australia at the moment, it's the best."

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova sped to a 6-0 6-4 win against Sorana Cirstea in 53 minutes, with British 16th seed Jo Konta and Swiss seventh seed Belinda Bencic also first-round winners.


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