Petra fights back for Qatar title and top 10
DOHA: Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova stormed back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since being stabbed just over two years ago when she beat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the Qatar Open final on Sunday for her second title of the season.
Coming into the tournament 21st in the WTA rankings, the Czech won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 16 minutes to add to her triumph in St Petersburg earlier this month.
Petra was in trouble as she trailed 5-0 in the first set with fourth seed Garbine looking to snap the Czech’s winning streak at 12 matches.
But former world number two Petra dug deep to take the contest into a decider and ground out the victory.
Asked how she managed to turn the contest around, Petra said: “I have no idea.
“I just tried... It was a really tough match, a big fight and hopefully the people enjoyed it.”
Petra was forced to take a break from tennis after being attacked by a knife-wielding intruder at her home in 2016.
She returned to action after surgery on her playing hand last year but fell short of the top 10, ending the season 11th.
Petra’s return to form will put her back in contention for majors this season.
“That’s why I came back, to try to have great results in the grand slams and the big tournaments,” she said.