Bertens, Kvitova To Collide For Madrid Title

Kiki Bertens and Petra Kvitova will clash Saturday for the biggest clay title so far in 2018.

Bertens kept her incredible run going crushing Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2.

“I’m really happy with the way I played. I think it was maybe not great tennis, what people want to see with a lot of winners,” Bertens said.

“Caroline is a great player, so I was just trying to play as many different balls as I could. I think I did it pretty well. Yesterday in the first set, I was struggling a lot, then trying to change my game yesterday. I think that helped me today already from the beginning. I was trying to put in the heavier balls, some slices, just grinding out there, trying to keep as many balls back in the court.”

The 20th-ranked Bertens just won Charleston and has taken 11 of her last 12 matches.

Kvitova is on her on run having won her last 10 after a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over countrywoman Karolina Pliskova.

“Obviously the altitude is helping me, for sure,” Kvitova said. “The balls are a little bit flying more. But on the other hand, I think I’m feeling good on the clay. I had great matches so far on the clay. I’m pretty satisfied with the movement, as well.”

Kvitova won her only meeting with Bertens at Wimbledon in 2015 6-1, 6-0.

“She’s playing great tennis,” Kvitova said of the Dutchwoman. “She has a big serve, hitting the balls pretty fast, aggressive, same as me. I don’t know actually what I’m going to try. I’m going to probably try to play the same as I always try. It’s going to be about the serve and wait for something in the rallies. I think she’s playing in good form, obviously. It’s nice to see her in the final, actually.”

Kvitova is a 2-time Madrid champion. The unseeded Bertens is 5-1 in WTA finals.

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