Czech beats Angelique Gerber to lift title in Japan
Czech Petra Kvitova recovered from a second-set meltdown to beat fellow left-hander Angelique Kerber 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 and capture the Pan Pacific Open on Saturday for her second title of the year.
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Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic reacts after winning a point against Angelique Kerber of Germany during their Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Saturday. Kvitova won 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. Pic/AFP
Seventh seed Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, burst from the blocks in the Tokyo final, storming through the first set, but inexplicably suffered the dreaded 0-6 ‘bagel’ in the second.
She quickly rediscovered her poise in the decider, screaming in delight and pumping her fist as she put away a sharp volley to take a
4-0 lead.
The 23-year-old put fifth seed Kerber out of her misery on her fourth match point, a blistering crosscourt forehand ending the German's resistance after an hour and 39 minutes and giving Kvitova an 11th career singles title.
“I really want to qualify for the end of season championships but I want to enjoy this feeling first,” said Kvitova, projected to rise from 11th to seventh in the new world rankings and closing in on sixth place in the race for next month’s WTA Championships in Istanbul.
It was Kvitova’s first title since Dubai in February and winning the premier five event earned her $426,000. Kerber, who had been seeking a third title and first of the year, took home USD 213,000.
“I felt a bit tired,” added Kvitova after her tour-high 32nd three-set match of 2013. u00a0“It’s tough to answer why I play so many three-setters. I’ve still not figured out why. I played two and a half hours yesterday (beating Venus Williams) but that’s no reason. My game is still up and down but I keep fighting until the last point,” said Kvitova.u00a0
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