Kvitova defeated Keys to reach the final in Cincinnati

The women’s singles semifinal at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, featuring Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova, promised to be a close match. The American is ranked 24th in the world rankings, the Czech lioness 28th. They entered Saturday’s match with an even record, both having enjoyed victories in four matches between them.

Kvitova, who beat Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the quarter-finals, entered the battle for the final with a defended serve. Keys then also held her first serve after knocking out Elena Rybakina, the Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan.

But the first break came in the very next game, after which the Fulnek player was down 1:2. However, she managed to close the gap shortly afterwards when she levelled at 3:3. There was no further change in the score and the tiebreak had to decide the winner of the opening set.

In the end, the 27-year-old Illinois native had the upper hand. Although she lost the lead 5::2, she still dominated the shortened game, 8::6.

In the second set, Petra Kvitová won the third game, in which her opponent served this time, and took a narrow lead, which she confirmed on her serve. She then increased her lead, which allowed her to serve out the match at 5:2.

But she couldn’t handle the game, giving it away without winning a single point. The two-time Wimbledon champion got to set points moments later, but they remained unused. Kvitova won the second set 6:4.

The Czech entered the deciding phase successfully, quickly leading 2: 0. Her break advantage lasted throughout, and she even finished the match with one more broken serve. After 6::7, 6::4 and 6::3 she advanced to the final on the hard surface in Cincinnati.

There she will face either Caroline Garcia of France or Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Petra Kvitova is looking for her second title of the season and the 30th of her career on the WTA circuit after her triumph on grass in Eastbourne in June.

Source: Western & Southern Open, WTA