Kvitova seals golden return
...AND FED MAKES IT NINE IN HALLE
PETRA KVITOVA yesterday completed a remarkable comeback by winning the Aegon Classic just six months after she was stabbed through the left hand that won her two Wimbledon titles.
In only her second tournament since being attacked by a burglar in her home, the Czech came from behind to beat Australian Ashleigh Barty in Birmingham.
On a good day for former Wimbledon champions — Roger Federer thrashed Alexander Zverev to take the Halle Open for the ninth time — Kvitova displayed the same mental toughness which has helped her physical recovery.
‘I was nervous,’ the 27-year- old admitted after her 4- 6, 6- 3, 6- 2 victory. ‘I didn’t expect this in my second tournament after my comeback. It’s kind of a fairytale.
‘It wasn’t the normal nerves as I had before and it was a bit difficult to handle it. I’ve been through a very difficult time in my life and it wasn’t about the tennis, but about coming back healthy and alive and moving my fingers properly.
‘This is clearly something special. I’m proud of myself that I did it today. The worst was in Paris (at the French Open) when I really couldn’t put these bad thoughts away. I have to say through this week I was much better. I am getting better mentally every week.’
When asked how she rated her chances of a third Wimbledon title, she insisted: ‘I’ve just played one match in three sets. Come on!’
Over in Germany, Federer, who skipped the clay- court season to maximise his chances at Wimbledon, bludgeoned rising German star Zverev 6-1, 6-3 in just 53 minutes.
‘I played unbelievably well. I felt good and never let up,’ said the 35-year-old Swiss after becoming the oldest winner of the Gerry Weber Open and securing a No 3 seeding at Wimbledon. ‘It was my best game this week. Nearly everything worked out for me.’
Zverev joked: ‘You could have been a bit nicer and allowed me a couple more points.’
It was Federer’s fourth title of the year and 92nd of his career.
Meanwhile, Britain’s Marcus Willis has been handed an uncomfortable draw in the Wimbledon qualifying event. Needing to win three matches to reach SW19, world No 374 Willis plays seeded Andrej Martin in the first round of qualifying.
Should he win, the 26-year-old will play fellow Brit Liam Broady or Frank Dancevic, with No 9 seed Illya Marchenko a possible opponent in the third and final round.