Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is through to the final of the Sydney International after ending Tsvetana Pironkova’s remarkable run at the tournament yesterday.
The Czech second seed proved too strong for the plucky Bulgarian defending champion, winning their semi-final 7-5, 6-1.
Kvitova ended Pironkova’s quest for a 15th straight win at the Sydney tournament after the Bulgarian came through the qualifying rounds to win the tournament last year and again had to qualify for the main draw this year.
Photo: EPA
It was Pironkova who knocked Kvitova out in the semi-finals of last year’s Sydney International.
“I’m glad that revenge went well today and I have the option to be in the final here in Sydney,” Kvitova said. “I think I played better today than last year against her. I am glad I played what I should play: aggressively, going forward, attack the balls early, and just playing my game.”
“I served well, so was very important today. That help me. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” she added.
Photo: AFP
After a stiff contest in the opening set, the world No. 4 finished off Pironkova with the loss of just one game in the second set.
Kvitova set up an all-Czech final with Karolina Pliskova, who was a straight-sets winner in the other semi-final over German fifth seed Angelique Kerber.
After a slow start that included losing her opening service game, Kvitova went to a new level and looks in good shape for next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, a sapping schedule finally caught up with Kerber.
World No. 22 Pliskova enjoyed a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over last year’s finalist.
It had been a tough few days for the German fifth seed and world No. 9 who had to endure three three-set matches, including a WTA record late finish at 3.10am yesterday after rain delays disrupted the tournament schedule.
Kerber had little more to offer and was dispatched in just 55 minutes by Pliskova.
“I [have] been playing the whole week really well,” Pliskova said. “I won some good matches. Last week as well in Brisbane I had few good matches, so I’m feeling well and happy to play good before Melbourne.”
“I was surprised that it was 6-3, 6-2. I played her a few times and it was always a close match,” she added. “But I started to play really fast, pushing her and dictating the game a little bit and my serve was working today as well, so maybe that’s the difference between us.”
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