By Chris Oddo | Wednesday October 28, 2015

 

Petra Kvitova won for the eighth consecutive time against Czech mate Lucie Safarova in Singapore to keep alive her chances of reaching the final four.

Photo Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty

Petra Kvitova battled past Lucie Safarova in two tight sets to keep her hopes of reaching the WTA Finals alive, 7-5, 7-5, on Wednesday at Singapore indoor stadium.

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“I’m really glad that I was able to play and win that kind of match after my loss in the first match here," Kvitova said after her win. "I know that Lucie wasn’t healthy a few weeks ago and I’m just happy that she’s here as well. It’s great to have two Czechs in the WTA Finals.”

Kvitova and Safarova battled tooth and nail for one hour and 48 minutes, but it was Kvitova who came up with the goods at the business end of each set to push her career record to 8-0 vs. her Czech mate.

Both players did a wonderful job of holding serve in the first ten games, but nerves would start to kick in by the end of set one. Safarova would earn the first break of the match with Kvitova serving at 5-all, but Petra would swat it away with a backhand winner and serve big on the next two points to hold.

Kvitova used that momentum to break through in the next game, rallying from 40-15 down to earn two break points. The first was saved by a perfect wide serve from Safarova but Kvitova ripped an inside-out forehand winner on the next to claim the set.

The second set had a different feel but a similar outcome.

After Safarova rushed out to a 3-0 double break lead, Kvitova dug in and played some inspired tennis to take the next four games. The 2011 WTA Finals champ threatened to break the set open in the eighth game, but Safarova fought back and saved two break points to level at four-all.

But it would prove to be all for naught for Safarova as once again she would crack while serving to force a tiebreaker. Kvitova sent a scorched backhand return to Safarova’s feet on her first match point, and the return was netted.

Afterwards, a fatigued but pleased Kvitova admitted that she values her friendship with Safarova more than the eight consecutive victories she’s racked up against her.

“I prefer to have her by my side, not on the other side,” said.

Now 1-1 in her first two WTA Finals matches, Kvitova will face Garbine Muguruza on Friday.