Defending champion:
Karolina Pliskova (5) who defeated wildcard CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(2) 6-4
- Anastasija Sevastova (7) v Petra Kvitová (3)
The pair had played each other three times previously, with Sevastova leading 2-1, but incredibly those matches were way back in 2009, 2010 and 2011, so no recent clashes to judge. Only to know that Kvitová has had a wonderful start to 2019, leading the Porsche WTA Race. Her last start was in Miami where she lost her quarter final to eventual winner Ashleigh Barty.
Sevastova has had a patchy 2019, with a 9-8 win loss record, including opening match losses in three of her last five tournaments. Stuttgart has been better, with wins over fellow Latvian Ostapenko, and then Siegemund, and hopefully Sevastova will be back on her quest for a top ten spot ranking.
Kvitová served first, and faced a break point following early errors. That was saved with a stunning forehand down the line, but a second chance emerged after a double fault. A long forehand confirmed the break and Sevastova led 1-0. A love game was the perfect way to consolidate the break, Kvitová committing a host of unforced mistakes. A drop shot winner to start the third game might have sharpened the Czech game, but a double fault followed, and more problems with her ground strokes. Break point arrived as a backhand went astray and a forehand failure presented Sevastova with a dream beginning, 3-0 and a double break.
Another quick service hold for the seventh seed, and she led 4-0, a drop shot and backhand winner the highlights. 11 unforced errors so far for Kvitová.
Kvitová won her next two service games, surrendering only one point, but the damage was already done, and Sevastova served the set out 6-2, never having faced a break point.
Both players protected their serves well in the initial stages of set two, but after five games the Latvian serve fell apart. Not because of a sudden drop in the standard of Sevastova’s game, but simply Kvitová went on a spree of outright winners. She won the last 14 points of the set, breaking Sevastova twice to love. 6-2 and a decider required.
The Czech player won 81% of points on her serve in set two.
Unexpectedly, Kvitová faced a break point in the opening game of set three, but Sevastova wasted the chance by hitting a backhand into the net. Kvitová sealed the game with a forehand winner and an ace.
Sevastova led 40-15 in the fourth game, but lost all remaining points, starting with a double fault. A netted Latvian backhand and Czech forehand winner brought up break point, then a Sevastova backhand missed the court by quite a distance. 3-1 Kvitová.
Two easy service holds and it was 4-2, Sevastova running out of time. Against the run of play, the seventh seed produced a quality game, including a forehand winner, to arrive at two break points. Kvitová rushed the net and put away a volley to save one, but was then passed by a Sevastova backhand for the break.
Kvitová, with a slashing forehand return winner, and a forehand winner down the line, brought up break back point. It came with a backhand error, and Kvitová would serve for the match at 5-3.
Sevastova missed a return, missed a backhand, and Kvitová hit a forehand winner to achieve two match points. A wide forehand from Sevastova finished the high standard match.
Petra Kvitová won 2-6 6-2 6-3.
- Naomi Osaka (1) defeated Donna Vekic 6-3 4-6 7-6(4)
- Anett Kontaveit (8) defeated Victoria Azarenka 5-7 7-5 3-0 (retired)
- Kiki Bertens (6) defeated Angie Kerber (5) 6-3 6-4
Semi final match ups
Naomi Osaka (1) v Anett Kontaveit (8)
Petra Kvitová (3) v Kiki Bertens (6)
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