Kvitova Dominates in New Haven Final
Czech Petra Kvitova continued her outstanding play on Saturday as she rolled past Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4, 6-2 to win the Connecticut Open. The title in New Haven is the second in three years for Kvitova, who lost in last year’s final to Simona Halep.
“That’s something what I need probably, have some matches before (the Open),” said Kvitova. “I know last two years I had great run here, but I didn’t have great results in US Open. Still, I mean, I hopefully can make it little bit better.”
The fourth-ranked player in the world dominated the field in New Haven and the title match was no different. She notched break points in the sixth and final games of each set, never allowing Rybarikova to get back into the match.
The Slovak injured her right thigh while sliding for a ball in her semifinal win over Camila Giorgi on Friday, and the pain was noticeable for her throughout Saturday’s contest.
“In the beginning, it was OK, but then it started to be worse and worse,” said Rybarikova. “It’s tough to play like this against such a great player. But I don’t want to say I lost because of that.”
Kvitova did not drop a set all tournament long and looks poised to make a run at her second Grand Slam this year when she plays at Flushing Meadows this week. She won the Wimbledon crown back in July, and even Rybarikova feels Kvitova has a chance at the final Grand Slam of the year.
“She can return. She can serve. She’s even moving very well. She improved a lot,” said a complimentary Rybarikova. “She can beat anybody, absolutely, when she’s playing her game.”
Kvitova earned the three-seed at the US Open, and will face France’s Kristina Mladenovic in the tournament’s opening round. Rybarikova meets Caroline Wozniacki in the first-round today from Flushing Meadows.
