Petra Kvitova claimed her first Miami Open title with an impressive straight-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Kvitova’s 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 win ended Rybakina’s 13-match winning streak, as she was chasing the Sunshine Double after triumphing at Indian Wells last month. 

The Czech two-time Grand Slam winner will move back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since September 2021, with the 1,000 ranking points that accompanied her victory. She also received $1.26m (£1.02m) in prize money. Kvitova reached the Miami final for the first time in 13 attempts and produced a clinical display against a player who boasted the most main-draw wins (21) on the WTA Tour this year in Rybakina. 

Kvitova survived in an extraordinary 22-minute tie-break after not being able to serve out the opening set at 5-4. The tie-break kept swinging back and forth until she took her opportunity that arrived in the fifth set. Rybakina, who couldn’t respond, lost her bid to become only the fifth woman in tennis history to achieve the Sunshine Double.

Kvitova established a 3-0 second-set lead after clinching an early break, twice held serve to love, and broke Rybakina again to seal her ninth WTA 1000 title, her biggest victory since Madrid in 2018. Don’t forget to explore Tennis betting opportunities with Nextbet. 

Speaking after the game, Kvitova said, “The tie-break, oh my god, it was probably the longest in my career, and somehow I managed it. She had so many aces at the beginning of the tie-break that I couldn’t even play. So it was really difficult and amazing.” 

Kvitova’s victory in Miami is the latest chapter in her impressive career, which has seen her win two Wimbledon titles and reach the world number two ranking. Despite being affected by injuries in recent years, she has continued to be a formidable force on the WTA Tour, and her Miami triumph is proof that she can still compete at the highest level. The win will also give Kvitova a boost ahead of the clay court season, where she will look to build on her Miami success and add to her already impressive resume. With her form on the upswing, she will undoubtedly be one to watch in the coming months as the world’s top players gear up for the French Open and Wimbledon.