Kvitova Shocks Azarenka for WTA Madrid Crown

No. 16-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova defeated No. 3 Victoria Azarenka 7-6(3), 6-3 to win the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday, her fourth career WTA crown and third of 2011 after Brisbane and the Paris-indoors.

"We know each other so it was going to be tough to find the key, but I think it was who will play faster, who will be the more aggressive," Kvitova said after the win. "And I was the first. It's nice to win the tournament and to be in the Top 10 at the same time. But it's just a number. I want to improve my game and we'll see -- I don't want to be only No. 10."

Only world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has also won three titles in 2011.

Kvitova entered the event at No. 18 on the WTA Rankings, and is predicted to rocket into the Top 10 at No. 10, becoming the sixth Czech woman to rank inside the Top 10 since 1975 and the inception of the rankings, joining Martina Navratilova, Hana Mandlikova, Helena Sukova, Jana Novotna and Nicole Vaidisova.

Azarenka drops to 7-7 in career finals, but will rise to No. 4.

"Petra had such a great week and totally deserved to win today," Azarenka said. "She showed some impressive tennis. I had some opportunities and there are a few things I should have done better, but that's how tennis works."

At No. 4 Azarenka becomes the highest-ranking Belarusian in WTA history, surpassing Natasha Zvereva who reached No. 5.

Azarenka won the doubles title with Maria Kirilenko, their second after Cincinnati last year.