Petra Kvitova defeats Madison Keys in comeback win at Cincinnati Open to reach Sunday’s final

Madison Keys were defeated by Petra Kvitova 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday’s semi-final of the Cincinnati Open.

After initially playing a set, the Czech player defeated her American opponent, the 2019 tournament champion.

Sunday’s match will be Kvitova’s 40th WTA final, and a win would be her 30th singles title so far.

WTA Cincinnati

Rybakina beats Keys to make it to the semi-finals in Cincinnati

A DAY AGO

The world No. 28 took 2 hours and 18 minutes to beat Keys, who are ranked four places higher. They are now 5-4 ahead in their head-tohead record.

Keys started slightly better than the pair, with her edge in the first set tie-break. Kvitova was able, however, to level and then break in the first game. Keys almost won the set at 4-3, but Kvitova was unable to maintain her 0-40 advantage.

Keys was then taken to match point, defending two with a powerful forehand and then a serve, but sent a forehand wide to bring the match to a close in Kvitova’s favour.

Kvitova later said, “It was an amazing battle.” “I must say Madison played an amazing match. It was very, very tight.

“This is very special, to put it bluntly. I was going to the match today and I kept telling myself that I had never been in the final here. … I’ve been to many finals, but this was my first. Finally, it’s here. Although we don’t know how it will end tomorrow or what the outcome will be, this is a significant step for me.”

Caroline Garcia defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-2-1 in the semi-final. The match was suspended.