The finale was happening in Dubai:
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard Decoturf, in Dubai, UAE, 17-23 February 2019.
Defending champion:
Elina Svitolina who defeated Dasha Kasatkina 6-4 6-0
Belinda Bencic v Petra Kvitová (2)
Petra Kvitová, if she won, would return to the number two position in the world rankings. Belinda Bencic would, if successful, jump into the top 25.
Either way, both players are setting a swift early pace in the 2019 WTA Race. The final was much anticipated, given the two sensational semi finals gone beforehand. In their three previous meetings, Kvitová had won all contests, and in straight sets.
As she’d done in the semi against Svitolina, Bencic broke early to lead 2-0 in the opening set. Chances for a double break came in the third game, when, after leading 40-15, Kvitová double faulted, netted a Bencic return, and hit a forehand long, leaving her down break point. A rushed Swiss forehand sailed long and saved Kvitová. A second break chance was seen off via a forehand cross court winner.
Serve was held.
in the fifth game, the Czech star couldn’t hold back the Swiss tsunami, and the lead ballooned out to 4-1.
Kvitová hit a backhand return winner, and two Bencic errors helped the second seed to three break back points. The first was converted and games were 4-2 Bencic.
The next two games went comfortably with serve, and at 3-5 Kvitová served to remain alive in the initial stanza.
Luck visited Bencic when a net cord won her the first point. 15-15 as a return found the bottom of the net. Kvitová hit a forehand longer than necessary before a Bencic backhand finished in the same part of the net as per the second point. 30-30. Double fault and the first set point for Bencic. Rushing forward to the net, the young Swiss player put away a backhand to win the set 6-3
Set two and the contest turned 180 degrees. A double fault from Bencic created a break chance for Kvitová in the opening game, and a backhand which strayed long donated the lead to Petra 1-0.
Playing with a confidence and flair not as apparent in set one, the two time Wimbledon champ consolidated her advantage with a service hold, then proceeded to break again, Bencic failing to convert a 30-0 lead.
Kvitová ahead 3-0 and serve to come.
At 1-5, Bencic served her fourth double fault. She steadied to lead 40-15, successive backhands forcing Kvitová into error.
A stunning Czech forehand winner followed by a backhand just as good brought it back to deuce. A return backhand cross court winner produced a set point for a rampaging Kvitová. Another backhand return winner completed a parcel of brilliance from Petra, and the set was over 6-1.
A decider was required.
Strong serving by Kvitová to take the opening game of set three. Bencic replied with a solid game of her own, despite being hauled to deuce through a few delightful Czech winners.
All of a sudden Kvitová lost control of the match which she appeared to have at this point.
A forehand hit long, then a straight forward backhand at the net missing the court by metres. A double fault for good measure, and Bencic couldn’t believe her good fortune. A backhand winner saved one break point for Kvitová. However a second double fault surrendered the service game to Switzerland, and Bencic led 2-1.
A consolidation for 3-1 by Bencic, and further service holds for 4-2.
Game seven, Kvitová hit a backhand wide, found the net with a forehand, and was down 0-30. Two break points after Bencic put a backhand at the feet of Kvitová and the second seed could only place the forehand into the net.
One saved. A wild Czech forehand missed the court and Bencic would now serve at 5-2 for the title.
A Kvitová overhead squared the game at 15-15. Two Kvitová forehand winners, and two break points for a chance to retrieve one of the breaks.
Not to be, as a pair of loose backhands brought it back to deuce.
A championship point arrived, but left after Bencic hit the net with a backhand.
The second match point ended with a Kvitová forehand sailing long and Belinda Bencic achieved her dream of a Premier level title, defeating Petra Kvitová 6-3 1-6 6-2 to win the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The ranking for Bencic moves from 45 to 23, and she is now 4th in the 2019 WTA Race, which Petra Kvitová leads (taking over from Naomi Osaka)
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