The tremendous comeback of Petra Kvitova, keeps on growing at the Qatar Total Open 2018.
Contrasting Routes to the Final for Kvitova and Muguruza
The Czech faces Venezuela born Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in the final. Their immediate routes to the final couldn’t be more different. Kvitova was a set and a break of serve down in the second set against the great Dane, Caroline Wozniacki. The gutsy Czech clawed her way back into a tense match, taking it 7-5 in the third set. On the other hand, Muguruza just sat back and watched. Simona Halep’s withdrawal meant that she didn’t have to lift a racket in the semis, giving her time to recover from a grueling quarterfinal victory over a resurgent Caroline Garcia.
Petra Kvitova is Defending 12 Match Winning Streak
Since losing to “dancing” Andrea Petkovic in the Australian Open 1st round, the impressive Czech has not lost. St. Petersburg, the Federation Cup, and this tournament have all seen Kvitova at her peak. Sure there have been scares, such as against Agnieszka Radwanska earlier in this tournament. Largely, the Czech has been at her shot making best. Thirteen is now an aspiration (for wins in a row) rather than a bad omen.
Kvitova Leads the Head-to-Head
The record between these two powerhouses of tennis reads 3-1 to the Czech. A straight sets victory for Kvitova at the US Open last year, represents their most recent encounter. Although, it was early on in that tournament, the victory on a big stage will give Kvitova confidence.
A Great Match in Prospect
This shot-making dream of a match will have fans on the edge of their seats. It could go either way, there is still a bit of a dark horse quality to Kvitova, post-injury. Objective analysis might lead you to lean towards Muguruza, given her freshness and deft skills shown in dispatching Garcia. That said, to come from behind against the world number 1 as Kvitova did, means that you underestimate her at your peril.
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