Petra Kvitova has clinched her first WTA title on home soil at the Prague Open, in what was an emotional occasion for the two-time Wimbledon champion.
Kvitova, who was seeded second in the tournament, battled from a set down to edge out Mihaela Buzărnescu 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Contesting her 30th final on the tour, she hit four aces and won 64% of her first service points. It was a rocky start for Kvitova, who began the match with a 3-0 lead before getting broken two consecutive times at the end of the opening set.
“I needed to calm down, I did not feel good.” Kvitova commented about her start to the match.
Despite her blip, the 28-year-old managed to regroup with the help of some heavy hitting. Frustrating an animated Buzărnescu, who came undone on her second serve. In the second and third sets, the Romanian only managed to win four out of 16 points.
It was clear how much the trophy meant to Kvitova, who burst into tears during her trophy ceremony. 12 months ago she was watching the tournament from the sidelines as she recovered from a hand injury caused by a knife attack. Since returning, she has managed to rise back up to the rankings to back inside the world’s top 10.
“When I was sitting here last year, I probably did not expect to play this year and win,” she said. “I have never had a public opportunity to thank all those who have helped me not only to get here, but back to the courts and to be healthy again.”
Kvitova, who is set to play Lesia Tsurenko in the first round in Madrid, now has 23 WTA titles to her name.
Mertens continues flawless clay record
In Morocco Elise Meertens claimed her third WTA trophy of the season with a 6-2, 7-6(4), win over Ajla Tomljanović at the Rabat International.
Mertens, who is yet to lose a match on the clay this year, overcame some late resistance from the world No.96. After racing through the first set, it appeared as if the second would follow the same trend. Serving for the match at 6-2, 5-4, Mertens buckle under the pressure to allow Tomljanović to break back. Nevertheless, she managed to prevail in the tiebreaker after convering her second match point.
“You guys made this tournament special. It was my first time in Rabat, but I definitely hope it’s not the last.” The world No.19 said during the trophy presentation.
As for runner-up Tomljanović, the Australian can seek comfort in her run. Rabat was her first tour final since 2015. In recent years she has been hampered by a shoulder injury that has sidelined her for months at a time.
“I’m definitely not holding the trophy I wanted this week, but there were a lot of little victories I’m very happy with.” She said.
Mertens is now on a 12-match winning streak after also winning the Lugano Open last month as well as two Fed Cup matches. She and Kvitova are the only two players to win three or more titles on the tour so far this year.
The 22-year-old will be looking to extend her winning streak in Madrid, where she takes on Alison Van Uytvanck in her first match.
