Petra Kvitova is back, beats Julia Boserup to enter French Open 2nd round

Petra Kvitova made an emotional and convincing return to competition, showing no ill effects from the stabbing injury to her hand, with a 6-3, 6-2 French Open first-round victory against American Julia Boserup on Sunday.

Petra Kvitova produced a superb performance on her return to action at the French Open, beating Julia Boserup 6-3 6-2 to storm into round two.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic acknowleges the crowd support after defeating Julia Boserup in the first round of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros on Sunday (AP)

Petra Kvitova was making her first appearance of 2017 on Sunday, after sustaining career-threatening injuries to her left hand when she was stabbed by an intruder in her apartment last December.

However, the two-time Wimbledon champion looked as though she had never been away as she racked up the winners in a hugely heartening comeback.

Typically aggressive and strong on serve throughout, Kvitova claimed early breaks in either set en route to an emphatic triumph.

Looking up at her box, where members of her team wore matching t-shirts bearing the words ‘courage’ and ‘belief’, she added: “Thank you very much guys, I love you. Thank you for everything you helped me with through this difficult time. I will always be appreciative.”

Kvitova raced into a 3-0 lead and had three break points in the fourth game before Boserup finally got on the scoreboard.

There were three opportunities for Boserup to break back in game five, but the American failed to take her chances and Kvitova was able to remain in command, racing through her next service game with a love hold that was rounded off with an ace.

Kvitova’s serve remained a potent weapon as she wrapped up the opener, despite Boserup saving four set points - two with rasping winners off either wing.

The outcome looked inevitable when Boserup began the second set poorly and a brief delay for rain did nothing to halt Kvitova’s momentum.

Next up for the Czech, who appeared understandably emotional after sealing her win, is a clash with Bethanie Mattek-Sands or Evgeniya Rodina.