Garbiñe Muguruza witnessed Petra Kvitova's fierce form from across the net and calls her comeback from surgery shockingly incredible.
Last month, Kvitova stormed back from a set down to win her 13th consecutive match and claim the Doha crown with a, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, triumph over Muguruza in a battle of Wimbledon champions.
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It was the left-handed Czech's second straight title following her St. Petersburg triumph and her sixth straight win over a Top 10 opposition, including a semifinal victory over then world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
The victim of a horrific home invasion in 2016, Kvitova suffered stab wounds to her left hand that required a three-hour plus surgery in to repair ligament and tendon damage.
Muguruza called Kvitova's comeback shockingly impressive.
"I feel that that comeback is way more shocking maybe than other comebacks when you had that experience before," Muguruza told the media at Indian Wells today. "I’m sure tennis is so much different for her in her eyes and what she felt that day. I’m sure she’s enjoying it more in her eyes and it’s good for her to be back playing at that level especially playing at the level.
"I saw the picture (of Kvitova's hand). I’m not gonna lie. I saw what happened. I was like ‘Man, she’s playing like this the way she played in the final.' The way she won like 15 matches in a row it’s incredible."
Kvitova, who celebrates her 28th birthday tomorrow, will face Yulia Putintseva in her opener. The ninth-seeded Czech and third-seeded Muguruza could meet in the quarterfinals here.
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