By Erik Gudris | @ATNTennis | Sunday, June 25, 2023
Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova reminded the world of her grass-court prowess beating Donna Vekic 6-2, 7-6(6) to rule Berlin.
Photo credit: bett1open Facebook
Petra Kvitova solidified her status as a Wimbledon contender with a brilliant burst to the Berlin title today.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova cracked an incredible running forehand winner on championship point defeating Donna Vekic 6-2, 7-6(6) with a stunning strike.
Immediately after the match, Hall of Famer and Tennis Channel analyst Tennis Channel analyst Andy Roddick proclaimed the World No. 9 Kvitova the co-favorite for the Ladies’s Wimbledon Singles title along with defending champion Elena Rybakina.
With her win in Berlin, Kvitova has now won 12 of her last 13 matches on grass going back to her title run in Eastbourne last year.
“Your career is something that we can only hope for so congrats,” Vekic said during the trophy ceremony. “It’s been an amazing week in Berlin and I’m definitely coming back next year.”
It's Kvitova's biggest title since she captured the Miami Open championship on hard court in April.
“I have to say big congrats to Donna for a great match today and this week,” Kvitova said afterwards. “I want to say thank you to my team here and to my family who are watching everyday no matter the time zone.
"Berlin I love you, I love grass, I hope I can come back next year.”
In her 42nd career WTA final, Kvitova entered having won her four out of five last meetings against the World No. 23 Vekic of Croatia. Vekic herself enjoyed a strong week in Berlin having defeated two top 10 foes in Elena Rybakina and Maria Sakkari on her way to the WTA 500 final.
In the first set, it looked like Kvitova might easily run away with the match as she broke to take a 4-2 lead. With a potent ace a game later, Kvitova moved ahead 5-2.
Kvitova soon wrapped up the set 6-2 with Vekic responding by leaving the court apparently to be assessed by a medical trainer.
Kvitova, who is 25-0 in WTA finals when taking the first set, appeared ready to make it a short afternoon for herself when Vekic returned to start the second set.
Yet Vekic started the set with a strong surge as she began negating Kvitova’s power with her own baseline defense. Vekic soon enjoyed a 3-1 lead.
Kvitova stayed in touch with opponent midway through the set, but soon enough Vekic would serve for the set at 5-4. Now it was Kvitova’s turn to rally as she soon held a break point at 30-40. A deep return from Kvitova forced a backhand error from Vekic putting the match even at 5-all.
Eventually a tiebreak was needed and it was there that both players produced some of their best tennis of the day. Each player came up with huge winners. Vekic got out to 3-1 only to see Kvitova level for 3-all.
Vekic later served an ace to earn herself a set point at 5-all. Kvitova responded with a strong wide serve that produced a return error from Vekic. When Vekic hit a forehand error in the next point, that yielded Kvitova match point.
In true champion style, Kvitova produced an incredible running forehand winner to seal the satisfying 6-2, 7-6(6) victory.