Kvitova thumps Sasnovich to set up Sydney final with Barty

Fifth seed Petra Kvitova raced past Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1 6-2 in a rain-delayed encounter at the Sydney International yesterday to set up a title showdown with home favourite Ashleigh Barty. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova had suffered a shock opening round defeat by Sasnovich at the All England Club six months ago.

But the Czech was at her ruthless best in preventing a repeat, striking 22 winners to ensure her progress to a second Sydney final after winning the title in 2015. “It was worth the wait, definitely. I’m really glad that we were able to get back on the court and play,” said Kvitova after heavy rain had prevented the match from starting until almost midnight local time.

Kvitova, who is yet to drop a set this week, will take on last year’s runner-up Barty in the final today.

“I don’t think (the crowd will be) on my side but it’s fine,” Kvitova added.

“I think she’s really in good form, she’s playing so well here in the tournament as well. I can just play aggressive, and that’s what I’m playing.” Barty, who stunned world number one Simona Halep in the opening round this week, gave the local crowd plenty to cheer as she rallied from a set down to beat Kiki Bertens 6-7(4) 6-4 7-5.

The 22-year-old led the tiebreak 4-1 only for her

Dutch opponent to reel off six straight points to claim the opening set.

But she responded impressively, converting three of the four break point opportunities to seal victory.

Kvitova has won both her previous meetings with Barty, the most recent being a three set triumph in the final at Birmingham in 2017.

Hobart: Big-hitting American youngster Sofia Kenin reached her first WTA final when she stunned sixth seed Alize Cornet 6-2 6-4 at the Hobart International.

In windy conditions, unseeded Kenin kept her composure to land 77% of her first-serves in play and broke her French opponent four times en route to a convincing victory.

Cornet was Kenin’s third seeded victim of the tournament after recording upsets of top seed Caroline Garcia in the opening round and seventh seed Kirsten Flipkens in the quarter-finals.

Kenin, who has not dropped a set this week, will meet Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in today’s final after the Slovakian outlasted Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-6(2) 4-6 6-2 in a 2-1/2 hour encounter.

The 24-year-old Schmiedlova fired 42 winners to move into her fifth career WTA final, where she will be seeking her fourth title.

Auckland: British number two Cameron Norrie reached his first ATP Tour final after beating German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5 4-6 6-3 at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Norrie, who grew up in Auckland and represented New Zealand before switching allegiance to Britain in 2013, saved eight of 10 break points he faced in an intense semi-final against Struff, which lasted for nearly two hours.

The 23-year-old regrouped after conceding the second set and finished with 17 aces, sealing his place in today’s title decider against American Tennys Sandgren.