Tennis Atlantic

Kvitova Crushes Injured Kuznetsova in 2015 WTA Madrid Open Final
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

Petra Kvitova has won the Mutua Madrid Open after a 6-1, 6-2 victory over an injury hampered Svetlana Kuznetsova.

It was clear straight away that the world number four was in top form. Kvitova held easily before forcing early break points. Kuznetsova managed to hang on at 1-0, but she couldn’t in her next service game, as Kvitova couldn’t miss. A second break of serve put the set beyond any doubt, and Kvitova served it out with ease.

Kuznetsova seemed to be struggling with her movement, and an injury to her thigh was confirmed when she called for a medical timeout at the end of the opening set. Kuznetsova continued to struggle in the second set, barely moving as well as she did earlier in the tournament. Kvitova didn’t lose focus, and continued firing on all cylinders hitting winner after winner off both wings and at the net.

Kuznetsova mustered up enough strength to avoid the embarrassment of a bagel, and even managed to capture more games in the second set than the first. Kvitova was just on a completely different level though, and an easy service game saw her close the match out and win her second title in Madrid.

Despite the injury to Kuznetsova, nothing must be taken away from Kvitova who played superb tennis to win the title. The Czech hit 33 winners and 14 unforced errors on the way to victory. Petra’s 16-5 record in finals proves she usually steps up to the occasion, and today was no exception.  The world number four has now also won 16 titles overall and five at Premier Level or higher. The first four coming at Wimbledon x2, Madrid, and the WTA tour finals in 2011.

“I think I am the kind of person who likes to play these big matches at big tournaments.” Kvitova said. “Maybe there is more motivation for me (in finals). I am not really sure.”

Kvitova also spoke about playing Kuznetsova with her injury.

“Well I didn’t know in the first set. But of course when she called the physioi thought maybe something is wrong.”

“But I got there quickly. I saw the tape on her leg so knew something was no great on her side. You know, this is tennis, and that’s how it is.”

Kuznetsova said post-match that it’s the same injury that bothered her after the Fed cup.

“It comes sometimes. I hope I can recover before my next match in Rome. Yeah I just have a little problem with my leg.”

Despite the tough loss today, Kuznetsova remains positive about her tournament.

“The week was great. I even surprised myself how I could handle everything, because I have had the most weird schedule of my life.”

“Today I was a bit off and Petra was playing an amazing game. It happens you know. It’s been quite a good week and I will take positive stuff out there.”

In the doubles, newly formed pair Yaroslava Shvedova and Casey Dellacqua defeated home crowd favourites Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 sets 6-3, 6-7, 10-5. It’s quite an achievement for the Kazakh and Australian pair as this is only their first tournament together as a team. They hope to continue that success in later tournaments.