Kvitova Takes Down Cirstea, Will Face Rybakina For Miami Masters Title Saturday

Petra Kvitova reached arguably her biggest final this decade topping Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals Friday at the Miami Masters.

“I’m very happy for sure. I waited quite long to be in the final here. I’m happy I made it finally,” Kvitova said of her first Miami final. “It was very difficult, so I’m very happy to get through and to have a chance to play the final tomorrow.”

In this battle of 33-year-olds, Kvitova overcame an early 4-2 deficit in the first to win five of the next six games. In the second, lefty Czech kept rolling breaking immediately to take full control.

Kvitova was broken once and finished with seven aces, lost just two points on second serve in the second while Cirstea struggled wining just 5 of 19 points on second serve.

Kvitova is seeking her 30th career title, first title since 22 Eastbourne (d Ostapenko). It’s her first final since Cincinnati last summer.

There’s 10-year age gap, but Kvitova and Rybakina have split two meetings with the Czech winning earlier this year in Adelaide.

Rybakina comes in having won her last 13 matches and she’s two sets from a “Sunshine Double”.

“She’s playing very good, winning Indian Wells, returning here in the final,” Kvitova said. “For sure it’s a great achievement.

“She’s a big hitter, big server as well. I’m the same. It’s depends really how we are gonna handle the pressure from the opponent.”

You Might Like:
Rybakina Keeps Rolling, Ends Pegula’s Miami Masters Run To Reach Final; Kvitova v Cirstea Fri.
Pegula Saves MPs In Win Over Potapova At Miami Masters, Will Meet Rybakina;
Sinner, Cirstea Upsets Sabalenka Before Rains Wipe Out Miami Masters Night Session; Rybakina v Pegula SF
Pegula, Rybakina, Sabalenka Move On At Miami Masters; Andreescu Injured
Kvitova Claims Miami Masters Title Over Rybakina