Petra Kvitova joined fellow Czech Lucie Safarova in the finals of the Connecticut Open by overcoming Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-1 in what was a high-profile encounter, not only because both Kvitova and Wozniacki are big WTA names, but more importantly because Wozniacki lifted the New Haven title four consecutive times from 2008 to 2011, while Kvitova has lost just one match at the event after the Dane’s reign had ended, claiming the title in 2012 and 2014 and finishing runner-up in 2013.
The first to take charge in Friday’s match-up was Wozniacki, who built a 5-3 lead and earned a set point. But just like in her match the night before when she was facing the same unwelcome score, the Czech fought back, won all the remaining games in the first set and stormed through the second. Kvitova totaled 43 winners to 34, compared to Wozniacki’s modest 10 winners to two more unforced errors, 12.
The world No.5 Kvitova has a 6-0 head-to-head record against the sixth-ranked Safarova, but don’t let the stats fool you, as Safarova has always been a tricky opponent and now it’s the case more than ever before. (photo: Jimmie48)
