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By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 24, 2019

 
Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova pounded 30 winners defeating Danielle Collins, 7-6 (2), 6-0, to advance to her first Australian Open final and third Grand Slam championship match.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

Two years ago, Petra Kvitova couldn't clench a fist due to her damaged left hand.

Continuing a remarkable comeback, Kvitova now has the Australian Open title and world No. 1 ranking within reach.

McEnroe: Serena Choked

An inspired Kvitova reeled off nine of the last 11 games defeating Danielle Collins, 7-6 (2), 6-0, to charge into her first Australian Open final.

"It means everything, I think," Kvitova told Jim Courier afterward. "That's why I always worked very hard to be in the final of a major. Finally, I could make it kind of deep in this major. I will really enjoy the final. Whatever happens, I am very, very happy."



Benefitting from the retractable roof over Rod Laver Arena shut at 4-all, Kvitova controlled the center of the court and did not drop serve after the roof was closed.

Dictating play with her slider serve and searing forehand, Kvitova cracked 30 winners— tripling Collins' total of nine—advancing to her third career Grand Slam final and first since she captured the 2014 Wimbledon title.

Kvitova rides an 11-match winning streak into Saturday's final against either US Open champion Naomi Osaka or Czech Fed Cup teammate Karolina Pliskova.

The victim of a horrific home invasion at the end of 2016, Kvitova suffered stab wounds to her left hand that required a three-hour plus surgery to repair ligament and tendon damage. Kvitova, who still lacks feeling in one finger on her racquet hand, confesses her hand will never fully recover.

The two-time Grand Slam champion's spirit remains unbroken.

Solidifying he status as a big-match player, Kvitova has posted a 7-0 record in tournament finals since returning from that home invasion attack, including capturing her 26th career title in Sydney earlier this month.

Now she take a shot at another Slam.

Today's opening semifinal was a rematch of the riveting Brisbane opener, which Kvitova won 6-7 (6), 7-6 (6), 6-3.

On a toasty afternoon temperatures eventually soared to a scalding 101 degrees Fahrenheit. A large crowd, including actress Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour, saw both women battle to play first-strike tennis.

Squinting into the sun, Kvitova, playing without a visor or baseball cap, clanked a double fault and a couple of forehand errors to face double break point.

Stepping into the court, Collins belted a backhand return winner that skimmed the top of the tape breaking for 3-2 with a shout.

Prowling the center of the court, Kvitova began smacking her forehand with more depth and vigor. The two-time Wimbledon winner whipped a crosscourt forehand for a fourth break point only to see Collins crack an ace to save it.

A calm Kvitova lashed a forehand winner down the line converting her fifth break point with a massive "come on!" leveling after six games. On the strength of a wicked, wide second serve, Kvitova went up 4-3.

The 25-year-old Collins charged through a strong hold to even after eight games.

At that point, the heat index reached five causing a brief stoppage in play to close the retractable roof over Rod Laver Arena. Kvitova, who has asthma and can struggle in heat and humidity, was happier than the cheering fans by the sight of the roof shut.

"The first set was very tight," Kvitova said. "I was pretty nervous. I couldn't really have a full swing. I'm really glad it came in the tie break.

"Actually, I think I was happier than the fans that the roof closed. I like to play indoors. I think that helped me a little bit, but if it's open I'm still gonna fight. It doesn't really matter."

Fighting back from 15-30 down, Kvitova held for 5-4. Collins stamped a love hold to force the tie breaker—their third breaker in four career sets.

Elevating her serve in the tie breaker, Kvitova cranked a crosscourt forehand for the mini-break and a 2-1 lead.

The angle and low-biting action of Kvitova's flat forehand gave the American little to work with as Kvitova rapped another winner down the line for 5-1.
Slashing an ace down the T, Kvitova earned four set points and wrapped up the opening set in 61 minutes.

The American's two-handed backhand is a dangerous weapon, but Kvitova banged her lefty forehand crosscourt challenging the Collins backhand and earning the break to start the second set.

Backing up the break at 15, Kvitova was taking the ball earlier and hitting it bigger. Leaning low, she banged a backhand winner for the double break and a 3-0 lead.

Striking with conviction, Kvitova earned match point on a Collins forehand error.

Fittingly, the eighth seed finished in 94 minutes with one final forehand winner.

A spirited surge from Collins saw her knock off Julia Goerges, three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach her first major final a year after she lost in the last round of qualifying.

The feisty and fired-up Collins is projected to crack the Top 25 when the new WTA rankings are released, while Kvitova will try to extend her post-surgery undefeated streak in finals.

 

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