Petra Kvitova Claims Wuhan Title

In a completely lopsided match, Petra Kvitova outplayed the Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-1 6-1 in mere 63 minutes, taking her tally of career titles to 18. The Czech, seeded 14, had beaten world number one Angelique Kerber, Britain’s Johanna Konta and fourth seed Simona Halep on her way to the final.

The win ensures an upward jump in the rankings to No.11 for the former world No.2. This is not the first time that Kvitova has won in Wuhan.

“It’s great for sure to win it for a second time,” said Kvitova “I’m happy for that, how I played all week. I think it was amazing really.
“I do like the conditions here. I feel that it’s a little bit faster. I really can play my game here.”

In the match, Kvitova was aggressive from the get go  and firing down five aces as she won 17 of the first 18 points to take an early hold. Cibulkova, however, could not respond at any time in the match, managing only one break of serve in the first set.

“She was just really hitting everything full power,” said the Slovak. “She was just serving really well, going for returns. I couldn’t really play my game that I played during this week. I couldn’t get in the long rallies or in the rhythm because she didn’t let me. She was really powerful from the first strokes. That’s how she overpowered me today.”