The 13th visit was the charm for Petra Kvitova, who posted a stellar 7-6 (14), 6-2 victory over red-hot Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s final to win the Miami Open for the first time.
The 15th-seeded Kvitova had 29 winners against 14 unforced errors in one hour and 42 minutes while winning her 30th career title.
The Czech Republic star had reached the Miami quarterfinals three times previously before landing the breakthrough crown this year. The victory also will move Kvitova back into the Top 10 for the first time since September 2021.
The 10th-seeded Rybakina was aiming to win the “Sunshine Double” after winning the first half at Indian Wells in March. She had won 13 consecutive matches before losing in the final.
The Kazahk had 12 aces but committed more unforced errors (24) than winners (22). Her first-serve percentage was just 54 percent compared to Kvitova’s 76 percent.
Kvitova and Rybakina engaged in a marathon first-set tiebreaker. Both players had five set points but it was Kvitova who finally converted to take the set in 67 minutes.
Kvitova, 33, seemed more fresh than the 23-year-old Rybakina at the outset of the second match by winning the first three games and sailing through the set.
Kvitova is the oldest Miami champion since Serena Williams (also 33) won in 2015.
–Field Level Media