Kvitovastrides tofinalsuccess overostapenko
Petra Kvitova clinched the Eastbourne singles title for the first time yesterday with a dominant straight-sets victory over defending champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Rothesay International.
Two-timewimbledon winner Kvitova, who lost the 2011 final to Marion Bartoli, controlled a one-sided encounter from the outset en route to triumphing 6-3 6-2 in just an hour and 17 minutes.
Eighth-seed Ostapenko had previously not dropped a set all week at Devonshire Park but struggled to deal with the Czech’s booming serve and blistering forehand during an error-strewn display.
World No. 14 Taylor Fritz later edged his all-american clash with Maxime Cressy to claim the men’s singles title in dramatic fashion.
The 24-year-old regained the crown he won in 2019 following a nail-biting tiebreak decider, winning 6-2 6-7 (4) 7-6 (4) in two hours and 17 minutes.
Following her victory, 32-year-old Kvitova said on court: “I had already experienced losing in a final (in 2011), so I guess I am lucky. It was a tough match.
“Playing on the grass is very special for me, especially when you step onto a beautiful court such as here.
“It’s really nice to play in front of the people again; in Corona it was a really tough time, it’s such a better feeling.”
Victory for 14th seed Kvitova brought a 29th career singles title and a big confidence boost ahead of a first-round Wimbledon meeting with Italian Jasmine Paolini.
Ostapenko later withdrew from the women’s doubles final due to a toe injury on her right foot, handing the title to Serbian Aleksandra Krunic and Poland’s Magda Linette.
Caroline Garcia recovered from a set and a break down to defeat Bianca Andreescu and claim the Bad Homburg Open title.
Former US Open champion Andreescu had been ahead 4-2 ahead in the second set before Frenchwoman Garcia won four straight games to level the match.
The Canadian world No 64, who reached the final after Simona Halep had been forced to withdraw with a neck problem, then moved 2-0 up in the decider.
But Garcia went on to hold serve from 30-0 down to eventually close out a 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 victory.
World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed a first ATP Tour grass-court title with victory over veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the final of the Mallorca Championships.
Tsitsipas, the second seed, won 6-4 3-6 7-6 (2) for his ninth tour victory.