This time last year Petra Kvitova was ranked lower than No.60, while this week at the Mutua Madrid Open the Czech not only earned the introduction to the Top 10 but also her biggest career title by beating Victoria Azarenka in the final of the $4,500,000 Premier-level tournament. Kvitova now has four WTA titles to her name, and three of them came this year (Brisbane, Paris and now Madrid).
In the first set against fourth-seeded Azarenka, Kvitova had a point for a 4-0 lead, but Azarenka came back to level at 3-3. The set slowly progressed to a tiebreak and Kvitova was decisive then. The world No.18 Kvitova started the second set with a break and just like in the first set that advantage did not last and Azarenka leveled at 3-3. The match stayed uncertain until the end, especially when Azarenka saved a match point at 5-3 and held her serve. However, in what was to be the last game of the match, Kvitova was dominant and she stormed to her first Premier title without losing a point in the final game. Score: 7-6(3) 6-4.
Azarenka can console herself with the fact that she will become the highest ranked representative of her country ever, climbing to No.4 in the WTA rankings, and she had a great success in doubles at the Mutua Madrid Open, as together with Maria Kirilenko she beat the Top 3-seeded teams one after another en route to the title. (photo: Stephane Martinache)
Congrats to Kvitova, although she could have finished the match earlier. This is a good start for her, as she has many points to defend in the upcoming times.
Congrats Kvitova~! Djokovic beat Nadal on Clay…nbd- 32 match streak!
I agree with Mirjana, Petra could finish the match earlier, anyway congratulations for the excellent results obtained and congratulations to Vika for fourth place 🙂
Marija, tuesday I will be in Rome for the Internazionali, I hope I can finally contribute to the blog with some pictures 🙂
I’m very proud of the big serving lefty for stepping up and taking her first Premier Mandatory tourny, thus joining Caro and Vika who added to their totals earlier this year in Indian Wells and Miami respectively. Often these winners have excellent chances in winning slams. Also, the talented Petra proved she can perform well on many court surfaces.
I like how Petra’s team is wisely choosing where and when she plays, thus insuring that the fast rising star remains fresh, yes she’ll skip Rome.
@bb
With extreme confidence, I predict Rafa will not end the year ranked #1. He simply cannot possibly come close to matching his great success of 2010. No way can he defend that massive amount of points.
Francesca, I’m looking forward to your pics 🙂 Just let me know when you upload them somewhere. Or you can send them to my email.
It’s interesting that Kvitova is playing a challenger right after winning a Premier tournament.
Marija, I’m very excited to be able to contribute to the blog, I have a passion for photography and this year I changed my camera with one that is best suited to sports photography, quite often I follow the ITF tournament. One day I’d like to make a website, but for now I have little time to devote to the project, however I’ll send them by e-mail 🙂
I think Petra’s choice to play a challenger is a good way to train, even if skip Rome is a shame (especially for me :P)
Oh you have a high quality camera as well! 🙂 Great. Do you have my email? You can resize the photos to be smaller and make them easier to send.
I still have the email when I won the pass to watch wimbledon online, if you mean that address. I can resize the picture as you like, if you have a preference please ask 🙂
I’m waiting for the release of the order of play, I hope to be lucky!
Francesca, that address is fine. About resizing, well, you’ll have to resize them in order to be able to send them. My preference… no special preference 🙂 Good luck tomorrow!