Pet’s final fling

Petra Kvitova has reached her first final since recovering from a career-threatening stabbing after fellow Czech Lucie Safarova pulled out of their Aegon Championships semi yesterday.

Safarova withdrew with a thigh injury as she trailed 6-1 1-0 and Kvitova will now play Ashleigh Barty in Birmingham today following the Aussie’s 3-6 6-4 6-3 win over Garbine Muguruza.

Two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova was stabbed at her home in December when she was left with serious hand injuries.

And the 27-year-old said: “I’m happy that I am in the final but the way I am going is a bit weird.

“The hand is good, which is the best news I can have, and I’m not feeling any pain.

“I couldn’t have imagined to have a better comeback than I’m having now.”