Kvitova Wins Tour-Leading 4th Title at WTA Madrid

Petra Kvitova, the Queen of Clay?
ADHEREL
The two-time Wimbledon champion expresses no love for the red dirt, but the results have proven different of late. On Saturday the No. 10 seed beat unseeded Kiki Bertens 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3 for the Madrid Open title, her second straight clay title after Prague.

“It feels sweet and weird as well,” said Kvitova who was playing her 11th match in 13 days. “I didn’t really expect that, even the same time last year. Even coming from Prague last week, I didn’t think I could be in the final, winning the trophy back-to-back.

“My body is very exhausted, as well, so…I’m pretty surprised that the body just handle it somehow. Every title feels great. Winning three times here in Madrid, it means something. It’s not really happening every day, so I’m very proud of myself.”

It was the Czechs 24th career title, and fourth of the year along with St. Petersburg, Doha and Prague.

She improved her impressive win-loss record in career finals to 24-7.

After wins in 2011 and 2015, Kvitova is the first woman to win Madrid three times.

Kvitova was able to subdue one of the hottest claycourt players of the season in Bertens, who won Charleston in April, and fell to 1-1 in finals this year and 5-2 career.

“I think I can be really proud of myself, like seeing myself where I’m coming from,” said Bertens to the press, having a difficult time holding back her emotions. “Just playing today in this final, playing tennis like the level I played today I think was quite okay for such a big final.

“Of course, it really hurts right now. I think you can see that. Maybe already tomorrow or next week or in a few weeks I can really look back on a great week and know I’m on the right way.”

Bertens will rise to a career-high No. 15 on the WTA rankings.