On Saturday 10th seed Petra Kvitova will take on Kiki Bertens in the final of the Madrid Open. It will be the second meeting between the two players on the tour. The first occurred back in 2015 when Kvitova won 6-1, 6-0, at Wimbledon. This time round she can expect a much tougher encounter against Bertens, who has won 58 matches on the clay since 2016.
Here are five things to following during the women’s final in Madrid.
1. Kvitova’s triple bid
Should the world No.10 triumph on Saturday, she would become the first female player in history to win the Madrid Open for the third time. Kvitova has previously won the title back in 2011 (defeating Victoria Azarenka) and 2015 (defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova). She is one of only three players to have already won the tournament twice since the Premier Mandatory event started in 2009. Serena Williams was triumphant in 2012 and 2013, followed by Simona Halep in 2016 and 2017.
Video – the last time Kvitova won the Madrid title
2. Bertens underdog run
Currently ranked 20th in the world, Bertens has the chance to emulate France’s Aravane Rezaï by winning the title as an unseeded player. In 2010 Renzai defeated Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams on route to the title.
Bertens has already won five WTA titles on the clay so far in her career. The most recent occurred at the Charleston Open when she defeated Julia Goerges in the final to win her first ever trophy in a Premier tournament. Her most significant title to date.
3. Kvitova’s magic 30
A win over Bertens would give Kvitova her 30th win on the tour this season. If she achieves the victory, it will be the quickest she has ever claimed 30 wins in a start to a season. Her current best was set in 2011 when she reached the milestone at the French Open.
Kvitova has already won three titles this season in St. Petersburg, Qatar and Prague. Should she also win Madrid, it will be her most successful season (in terms of titles) since 2011 when she won six tournaments.
4. New territory for Bertens
26-year-old Bertens will participate in her maiden Premier Mandatory final. On route to the final, she achieved wins over Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Garcia. The run means that she will rise to a ranking best of 15th in the world on Monday at least. Should she defeat Kvitova, Bertens will rise to 12th in the world.
Bertens’ Madrid performance
R1 – defeated Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-4, 6-4
R2 – defeated Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 6-1, 6-4
R3 – defeated Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6-2, 6-2
QF – defeated Maria Sharapova (RUS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
SF – defeated Caroline Garcia (FRA) 6-2, 6-2
5. Title No.24 at stake for Kvitova
Since claiming her first title at the 2009 Hobart International, Kvitova has managed to win a total of 23 trophies on the tour. The fifth highest tally among active players. A win in Madrid would move her closer to closing on fourth placed Wozniacki, who currently has 28.
Most titles among active players
Serena Williams – 78
Venus Williams – 49
Maria Sharapova – 36
Caroline Wozniacki – 28
Kvitova – 23 (prior to the Madrid final)
Kvitova’s title collection currently features 17 on hardcourts, three on the clay and three on the grass.
The women’s final will get underway not before 18:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday.
