Former world No. 2 Petra Kvitova was absolutely thrilled after winning her first title of the season in Eastbourne.
On Saturday, Kvitova saw off Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2 in the Eastbourne final.
Kvitova, 32, prevented Ostapenko from winning back-to-back titles in Eastbourne.
“I’m very delighted, of course, after a special final,” Kvitova said after her victory, per the WTA website. “I know that Jelena is playing well here on grass, the defending champion, so I was really prepared for that fast, aggressive game which she really played. It was a good match from both of us, I think.”
Kvitova routed Ostapenko in straight sets
“My serve was working, but still I needed some breaks, or I’m playing a tiebreak, which is always 50-50,” Kvitova said. “I knew I had to push her second serve especially, and I was just going for it, trying to play aggressive from the first point so she doesn’t have time in her game.”
Kvitova got off to a fast start to the match as she broke Ostapenko in the second game and led 3-0 after the opening three games of the match.
In the fourth game, Kvitova had a chance to go up by a double break but missed out on a break point.
Kvitova had three more break points in the sixth game but once again missed out on a chance to go up by a double break.
In the eighth game, Kvitova had two consecutive set points on Ostapenko’s serve but the Latvian saved to cut the deficit to 3-5.
However, missing out on two set points in the eighth game didn’t impact Kvitova, who routinely served out for the first set in the ninth game.
After losing the first set, Ostapenko served out the opening game of the second set.
Then, Kvitova went on a run as she claimed back-to-back breaks and won five games in a row to open a 5-1 second set lead.
Kvitova missed out on a match point in the seventh game but served out for the match in the eighth game.