Miami Open Champion To Record 30th WTA Title, Petra Kvitova Berger In The Top 10 Of The World

Two-time Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova (Instagram Petra.Kvitova)

JAKARTA - Petra Kvitova took advantage of all her experience to win her 30th WTA single title with a straight two-set win in the Miami Open final over Elena Rybakina, Saturday local time or Sunday WIB. Czech tennis player, Kvitova, who appeared in her first final in Miami at the age of 33, won 7-6 (16/14) 6-2 at Hard Rock Stadium. The victory will bring the Wimbledon champion to the top 10 in the world. The final presents a tight battle. Reporting from Antara, Sunday, April 2, Kvitova, who is more dominant, was able to lead 5-4 but Rybakina immediately responded so that the first set had to end in a tie-break. Defending champion Wimbledon Rybakina had a good chance at the tie-break, but Kvitova was still stronger with service and determination. Tie-break also lasted a thrilling 22 minutes and 28 seconds. Kvitova continued the momentum in the second set, breaking service early to lead 2-0 and after that never seen letting her 11-year-old opponent rise. Rybakina could not convert a break point in the next game and its service was broken again when it was 2-5 behind. Kvitova, who has now won 30 of her 41-final career games, said tie-break actually created momentum for her in the match. "It definitely determines the whole game. I think it's the longest I've played in my life. Nothing is easy against Elena," Kvitova said, as broadcast by AFP on Sunday. "(He hit) so many ace at the start of the tie-break. I was like, 'Oh my God, I can't even play,' so it's a bit difficult," said Kvitova, who now collects nine WTA 1000 titles. Rybakina is part of a talented new generation on the WTA Tour along with world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland and Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, but Kvitova says she is able to take advantage of her experience in dealing with Rybakina. "I think experience plays an important role in my mind. I've played so many finals. I know I can play well in the final, no matter who I'm facing. So mentally it's important for me to know," said Kvitova.

"Of course this means a lot, that at this age I can still win big tournaments, young players keep popping up, it's hard to deal with them all the time, it's very tiring," he added.