Kvitova and Babos win titles

Petra Kvitova received a wildcard to enter the St Petersburg tournament, and at the conclusion of the event, she stands as its champion.

Kiki Mladenovic (4) defended her title terrifically all week, but had no answers in the final, where Kvitova virtually Petrafied her.

In the opening set, Petra put 80% of first serves into play, and won 88% of points when done.

While serve was particularly strong, the Czech return was also significant, with Mladenovic losing 75% of points on her second serve, which she had to use 43% of the time.

Kvitova didn’t face a break point, but broke the French serve three times from five chances, taking the set 6-1.

Set two saw a continued charge by Kvitova, perhaps slightly less dominant, Mladenovic participating in more of the points, but still never threatening at any point.

Breaking twice, the second time to lead 4-1 and serve to come, Kvitova had yet to worry about saving a break point.

Serving for the match, that changed, suddenly down 0-40.

The booming left hand serve solved the minor problem, and the match was finalised 6-1 6-2.

A fantastic win for Kvitova, 30 winners included, becoming the first left hander to win this event.

It continues a run of at least one tournament win each year for Petra since 2011.

Taipei City had an Hungarian win in its final where Timea Babos (4) took the Taiwan Open title, her third WTA success.

Babos defeated Kateryna Kozlova from the Ukraine.

She began slowly, dropping her opening serve, and despite breaking back immediately, double faulting for 2-3.

Kozlova held to lead 4-2 but Babos finished the set strongly, winning five of the next six games and leading 7-5.

Set two was completely different, Babos in absolute control.

Winning 76% of points on her serve, and 64% of points on the Kozlova serve, Babos broke twice and won 7-5 6-1.

Kozlova, despite her loss, has moved up 20 spots to a career high ranking of 65.

Babos has jumped 10 spots to 35, closing in on her career high of 25.

With her semi final appearance in St Petersburg, Julia Goerges has moved to number 10 in the world, her best career ranking.

Petra Kvitova, with her win, has moved up eight rungs to 21, and watch out top ten, Petra is coming back soon.