Kvitová triumphs in Stuttgart

The final was contested in Stuttgart today.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Red Clay, in Stuttgart, Germany, 22-28 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4

- Anett Kontaveit (8) v Petra Kvitová (3)

This was the pairs first meeting, and if Kvitová won she would become the first multiple title winner on the WTA Tour this year.

The Czech star served first, and struck trouble immediately. Down 15-40, thanks largely to aggressive play from Kontaveit, the third seed escaped with good serving, A crisp backhand volley assisted in the service hold. Kontaveit had no issues in levelling, Kvitová errors donating her a love game. Games three to five were easy holds but at 2-3 Kontaveit was in bother. The consistent returning of Kvitová, plus a double fault from Kontaveit, led to two break points. A forehand winner took the score to 4-2.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Kvitová was down 0-30, Kontaveit hitting hard. However, two Czech forehand winners, and a first serve returned out of court, brought up set point. An Estonian forehand was pushed wide and Kvitová led 6-3.

Set two contained break points in all the first five games. Kvitová broke in game one, essentially due to Kontaveit mistakes but sealed by a wonderful forehand return winner. Kontaveit responded in kind, three chances coming from forced errors. The second was converted when a Czech forehand drifted long.

Kontaveit took control of the set after saving three break points in game three, then breaking Kvitová a second time for a 3-1 advantage.

Kvitová came back with strength, winning the final two points on the Kontaveit serve to break and trail 2-3.

Although taken to deuce, Kvitová held and levelled at 3-3, including a signature forehand down the line. Kontaveit contributed successive forehand return winners in the game to keep the third seed honest. 

Games went to serve until Kvitová was asked to hold at 4-5 and remain in the set. An attacking Estonian backhand, and a Czech double fault created a set point. It was saved. Another set point arrived when Kontaveit belted her backhand once more and forced a Kvitová error. A stunning backhand down the line saved that one. An ace and a Kontaveit forehand hit long concluded the game and it was 5-5.

A tie break eventuated and Kontaveit began with a forehand unforced error. Kvitová won both points on her serve, and then raced to 5-0, having received a pair of backhand mistakes from the Estonian. A forehand winner gave Kvitová six match points. Kontaveit saved one with a backhand put away at the net. 6-2 following a Kvitová forehand error. Appropriately a forehand winner won the match.

Petra Kvitová won the Stuttgart Open 6-3 7-6(2), moved up to #2 in the world, and extended her lead in the 2019 Porsche WTA Race.