Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has illustrated the threat she poses on the clay after claiming her maiden Stuttgart Open title on Sunday.
Kvitova, who was seeded second in the tournament behind Naomi Osaka, battled to a 6-3, 7-6(2), win over Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit. A player who described the Czech as a ‘role model’ following their latest clash at the Porsche-Arena. Despite dropping her serve three times in the final, Kvitova managed to prevail with the help of 20 winners. Double the amount of what her opponent produced.
“I’m very pleased with my performance today.” Kvitova said following her win. “I’ve played many times with Anett and she really gave me a hard time.’
“I’m happy that I was able to make it in two sets. Especially in the second when she had two set points. It was pretty difficult.”
Throughout the week the 29-year-old has only dropped two sets in four matches played. Doing so against Anastasija Sevastova and Kiki Bertens. Stuttgart is already the fourth final Kvitova has contested this season. She is the first player to win a second WTA title this year after also triumphing at the Sydney International in January.
Despite this week being Kvitova’s first test on the clay of the season, she was without some familiar faces in her team. Both coach Jiri Vanek, and trainer David Vydra opted to take this week off. Leaving the Czech player relying on her friends for support during her time in the German city.
“You know when I don’t have my coaches, I’m not really looking to the box as much a normal. It’s just about me and myself, and thinking about myself. I really had to push myself [in] tough times during the week. I think the more difficult was the beginning of the week when I played my first and second on the clay.” Britwatch Sports quoted Kvitova as saying.
Kvitova will be hoping that she can continue her momentum for the rest of the clay-court period and into the French Open. A grand slam she last reached the semi-finals at back in 2012. Whilst the Paris major is still two months away, Kvitova is ‘happy’ with the progress she is making so far.
“It was my first tournament on the clay. It was different because it was indoors, but overall I’m happy with my performance, with my movement as well and kind of adapting to the clay game. I think I served pretty well as well, so I’m happy with many things.” She evaluated.
Kvitova now has 27 WTA titles to her name. She will return to action in a weeks time where she will be defending her title at the Madrid Open.
