Petra Kvitova avoids two set points and comes from behind to beat Sorana Cirstea and reach the final of the Miami Open for the first time in her career, where Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina lies in wait
Petra Kvitova fended off two set points in the first set and dominated the remainder of the match to cruise to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea on Friday to reach the Miami Open final for the first time in her stellar career. .
Kvitova, the 15th seed, had reached the quarterfinals three years earlier, but ultimately made it to the title match on her 13th try in Miami. She will play 10th seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in Saturday’s final.
“I waited quite a long time to be in the final here,” Kvitova said. “I’m happy to have made it, finally.”
Kvitova, 33, hit seven aces in one hour, 41 minutes and beat the Romanian, who was playing her first semifinal since 2013 in Toronto.
Once Kvitova got going, she controlled the game as she beat Cirstea for the seventh time in 11 career meetings.
Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea on Friday to reach the final of the Miami Open
Kvitova fended off two set points in Cirstea’s first set to dominate the match
Kvitiva finally made it to the title fight on his 13th attempt in Miami with the win on Friday.
‘She had some fixed points. I think when I turned it around, it was a different story. I felt more confident and I felt like she couldn’t miss and she was kind of missing (her shots from her)’.
Cirstea, who turns 33 on April 7, got off to a good start with a 5-2 lead before Kvitova staged the comeback. As Cirstea led 5-3, she had two set points and the Czech won both and ultimately won the game. She also won the next three games to claim the set.
Kvitova jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second set to win seven straight games. Cirstea got within 5-4 before Kvitova shut it down.
“At 5-3, 40-15, she had two great returns,” Cirstea said. ‘I thought I served well. All I can say is that maybe I should have chosen the other side.
‘But it goes like this, and then like it really starts to swing. For a few games, I think maybe four, I leveled down. Then, as I mentioned, when I came back, it was too late.
Kvitova will be seeking the 30th singles title of her career. The only active player who has won more WTA crowns is Venus Williams (49).
Kvitova and Rybakina have split two previous meetings.
“It’s 1-1 so we’ll decide tomorrow,” Kvitova said. ‘She’s definitely the favourite. She is playing amazing tennis.
She will play 10th seed Elena Rybakina (pictured) of Kazakhstan in Saturday’s final.
Kvitova’s win over Rybakina came earlier this year in the first round of the Adelaide International in Australia.
“She played very well, but there the courts were much faster,” Rybakina said of the match with Kvitova. “I think it’s going to be different… but for sure it’s a lot physically, because here the courts are quite slow, especially after, I think, the rain.” When it’s so wet, it’s not easy.’
Rybakina is looking to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’. She won at Indian Wells earlier this month.
She reached the Miami final by defeating third-seeded Jessica Pegula 7-6(3), 6-4 on Thursday.