Former world No. 2 Petra Kvitova said Madison Keys played extremely well and she made sure to tell her that following their Cincinnati match.
In the Cincinnati semifinal, Kvitova recovered from a set down to beat Keys 6-7 (6) 6-4 6-3 and reach her first final at the American WTA 1000 event.
“It was an incredible battle,” Kvitova said after the match, per the WTA website. “I have to say Madison played a really great match. It was a really, really tight one. This is very special, to be honest. I was going to the match today, and I was telling myself that I have never been in the final here. I had many, many finals but never here. So finally it’s here. Actually, who knows how it will end tomorrow, but this is already a big step for me.”
Kvitova: I think we both deserved to win
“I don’t think I experienced many matches like this. We didn’t really miss. I don’t think we did anything badly in the end. Sometimes you have some weak spots, but not today, either of us. I told Madison she played so great today. I think that today both deserve to win,” Kvitova added.
Kvitova: I don’t think I experienced many matches like this. We didn’t really miss. I don’t think we did anything badly in the end. Sometimes you have some weak spots, but not today, either of us.
I told Madison she played so great today. I think that today both deserve to win. pic.twitter.com/LR3bDQk7Ji
ā WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 20, 2022
Keys blew an early first-set break but came up big in the tie-break and still managed to win the opener.
After losing a tight first set, Kvitova broke Keys twice to open a comfortable 5-2 lead in the second set.
But Keys refused to quit as she got one break back in the eighth game and also saved two set points in the ninth game to cut the deficit to 5-4.
Serving second time for the second time, Kvitova was able to stay calm and send the match into a decider.
After winning the second set, Kvitova broke Keys in the opening game of the third set.
Kvitova saved three consecutive break points in the eighth game to open a 5-3 lead, before she broke Keys again in the ninth game – when the American was serving to stay in the match.