Petra Kvitova believes she has what it takes to top the world rankings after defeating Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-2, in the final of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China.
The two-time Wimbledon champion recovered from a 1-4 deficit at the start of the match to seal the straight sets triumph with the help of her strong first serve. Kvitova won 85% (23/27) of her first service points throughout the match. Despite being broken twice (once in each set), the Czech used her experience and consistency to ease her way past Svitolina.
“She played a little bit aggressively than me at the beginning of the match,” Kvitova said in her post-match interview. “So I was a little bit trying to get the rhythm to play a little bit more aggressive, maybe a little bit longer rallies, that I can go to the game and be able to play.”
Kvitova’s run to the title in Zhuhai comes after what has been a successful end to the year for the Czech player. Since winning her first title of 2016 at the Wuhan Open in October, the 26-year-old has also reached the final in Luxembourg and quarter-finals in Beijing. On route to her latest title, Kvitova dropped just 18 games in the entire tournament.
“China’s a lucky place for me! It’s an amazing week and I’m really lucky I was able to compete here.” She said.
Ending her season just outside the top 10 at 11th in the world, Kvitova’s latest surge in results on the tour has reignited her dream of one day reaching world No.1. Reaching her best ranking of second in 2011, Kvitova hopes to draw inspiration from both Angelique Kerber’s and Andy Murray’s run to the top this season.
“The number one spot is still missing in my career. I know how difficult it is. We just saw how Angie did it. It’s a great thing to have for sure,” Sid Kvitova.
“I told him (Murray) congratulations because I think it’s a great achievement. I think he did everything he possibly could to be there, so I’m really happy for him.”
Reaching the pinnacle of the WTA Tour will be a tough task, but not an impossible one for the determined Kvitova. Within the past twelve months she has defeated five top 10 players, including world No.1 Kerber.
The WTA Tour might have come to an end for Kvitova, but she still has more work to do with the upcoming Fed Cup final. She will be hoping to guide the Czech Republic to their tenth title in the competition when they play France next weekend in Strasbourg.
🏆 Number 19 and a perfect end to the WTA season! Next stop @FedCup final 💪🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/fE72AaEnPC
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) 6 November 2016
