By Chris Oddo | Saturday May 12, 2018
Petra Kvitova claimed her third Madrid title with an inspiring three-set victory over Kiki Bertens on Saturday.
Photo Source: WTA
Petra Kvitova and Kiki Bertens went toe-to-toe for two hours and 52 minutes of breathtaking tennis in Madrid on Saturday, and though she looked wobbly at times in the deciding set, it was Kvitova who took the fight to Bertens down the stretch to clinch her 11th consecutive victory and third Mutua Madrid Open title, 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3.
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Kvitova improves to 24-7 lifetime in finals with another big-match performance on one of tennis’ biggest stages—these gritty, inspiring performances have become Kvitova’s calling card over the years and she was at her fighting best on Saturday against an opponent who landed more than her share of body blows.
Bertens played valiantly in her seventh career final as well, and after losing the first set in a tiebreaker she rallied to square things by breaking for a 4-3 lead in the second set and holding serve in games eight and ten.
The third was more complicated, more intense, and its pressure ultimately revealed what at this point and time separates Kvitova from Bertens, even on the red clay that Bertens prefers.
Just like in the opening set each player entertained multiple break point opportunities in their first return game of the third set, but neither could break through.
With the match well beyond two hours of running time it was Kvitova who looked to be struggling with fitness in the middle of the third. Kvitova was playing her 11th match in under two weeks on red clay it, while Bertens was well rested entering Madrid, having not played since an early departure in Stuttgart.
Nevertheless every time Bertens seemed to crack a window open a determined Kvitova would suddenly find the energy to slam it shut. After a wild exchange that yielded an epic forehand winner (must-see video below), Kvitova looked to be home free after a double-fault by Bertens handed her the break for 4-2—but Bertens, who showed so much clay prowess and variety in this match, instantly broke back.
Enter energized Kvitova, who raised her level despite the fatigue to break again for 5-3, then reeled off a quick hold to end festivities at the two hour and 52-minute mark.
It was a match where no one really deserved to lose. Both battled bravely for the better part of this thrilling contest, exchanging blows and contesting 24 break points combined, and yet when the witching hour was near it was predictably Kvitova who seemed to know how to better navigate the tricky terrain of actually finishing a match of this magnitude.
This isn’t a knock on Bertens but rather praise for the Czech whose winning percentage in finals of .774 is sublime and bordering on ridiculous (for comparison’s sake Serena Williams has a .782 winning percentage in finals).
Behind Kvitova’s athleticism and power is a stoic grit. She is a woman that can rally her energy against the odds to produce her greatest tennis under pressure and when the deck is stacked against her.
As her energy wavered on Saturday she did indeed look wobbly but each time she needed to she went to the well and pulled out pure magic.
The result? Another magical victory for a woman whose legend only seems to grow. Kvitova is now 4-0 in finals in 2018 and she is the only woman to ever hoist the Madrid trophy more than two times.