Petra Kvitova powered into the final of the WTA Miami Open on Friday with a straight‑sets victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. The Czech veteran advanced to a Saturday showdown against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina after a 7‑5, 6‑4 win that lasted 1 hour 41 minutes.
In a battle between two of the WTA’s more experienced players, Cirstea—playing in her first WTA semi‑final in a decade—started fastest, taking a 5‑2 lead in the first set. However, the Romanian, who is enjoying a revival in form after also reaching the last eight at Indian Wells, failed to convert either of the two set points she had on serve at 5‑4. Kvitova broke twice to take the set, and her momentum carried over into the second set.
Kvitova opened the second set with a break of Cirstea’s serve, her third straight break of the match, and from then on it was smooth sailing for the 33‑year‑old. She lost just seven points in five service games in the second set, securing her first Miami final appearance. It was a disappointing end for the 32‑year‑old Cirstea, whose performances have improved since she began working with Swedish coach Thomas Johansson in the off‑season.
Kvitova’s victory gives her the chance to claim her ninth career WTA 1000 title in what will be her 13th final. The Czech has not won a WTA 1000 since her third triumph in Madrid in 2018. Rybakina, who beat American Jessica Pegula in straight sets in the other semi on Thursday, is looking to complete the “Sunshine Double” after winning at Indian Wells earlier this month. Kvitova and Rybakina have met twice before, with the Kazakhstan player winning in Ostrava and the Czech taking revenge in Adelaide in January.
Comments are closed for this story.