15°c Clear
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Kvitova says no to Na, takes Rogers Cup title
MONTREAL -- Petra Kvitova has won the US$2.17 million women's Rogers Cup.
The 22-year-old Czech outlasted China's Li Na for a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory in the two hour 17 minute final on Monday night before a less-than capacity crowd at Uniprix Stadium.
It was Kvitova's first tournament win of the year after taking six titles last year, including Wimbledon. She won $360,000 while Li got $180,000.
It was the first of Kvitova's eight career victories to be won in North America.
The match pitted two grand slam champions from 2011, as Li took the French Open. Li is 0-3 in tournament finals this year.
Kvitova, seeded fifth, struggled to start, hitting several balls long, and fell behind 3-1 before she found the range with her forehand and charged back to take the lead. Even then, she needed to save three break points to take a 6-5 lead, then won the set on her fifth break point against 10th-seeded Li.
Spectators were stunned to see Li take the first 16 points of the second set to grab a 4-0 lead before Kvitova finally held serve.
But Kvitova got her game back for the third, hammering shots deep in the hardcourt that Li could not return. Li didn't help herself by hitting two easy smashes into the net.
Her service was broken at 3-2 when she doubled faulted, then had a return fly wide off the rim of her racket.
Kvitova punctuated the win with an ace on match point.
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 14, 2012 C8
More Tennis
- Back to Top
- Return to Tennis
More Tennis
(1 of 27 articles for this week)
Rolling Stone story about Serena Williams includes her comments on Steubenville rape case
06/18/2013 9:56 PM 0Serena Williams says in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that, while not blaming the victim in the Steubenville rape ...
Poll
Most Popular Tennis
- Last Canuck standing
- Federer puts on a show for royals
- After Azarenka withdraws, Davis goes from being lucky loser to lucky winner at Sony Open
- Nadal passes tough test vs. Dimitrov to reach Monte Carlo Masters semis along with Djokovic
- Federer, Murray each say there would be no problem if a men's tennis player comes out as gay
- Juan Martin del Potro, American players Brian Baker and Mardy Fish pull out of French Open
- Victoria Azarenka beats Maria Kirilenko to reach French Open semifinals for 1st time
- Simona Halep wins 1st career WTA title in Nuremburg, beats Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-3
- Friends, foes, roommates in final
- Federer puts on a show for royals
- After Azarenka withdraws, Davis goes from being lucky loser to lucky winner at Sony Open
- Bernard Tomic's hitting partner wants tennis player's father banned for alleged head-butt
- Serena Williams beats Sharapova to win 50th career title in Madrid; Nadal wins men's event
- Federer, Murray each say there would be no problem if a men's tennis player comes out as gay
- Juan Martin del Potro, American players Brian Baker and Mardy Fish pull out of French Open
- Christian Garin of Chile and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland win junior titles at French Open
- Makarova, Vesnina of Russia win women's doubles title at French Open
- Protesters interrupt French Open final, call for resignation of French president
- Nadal overcomes doubts to win 8th French title; takes 22-match win streak into Wimbledon
- Roger Federer has crowd on his side as he prepares to face another Frenchman at French Open
- Novak Djokovic's first coach Jelena Gencic dies at age 76
- Wawrinka rants and fights his way to reach French Open quarters for 1st time
- FRENCH OPEN 2013: Capsules on men to watch at the year's second Grand Slam tennis tournament
- Serena, Venus Williams to play French Open doubles for 1st time in 3 years thanks to wild card
- Cinderella story glad she stuck it out
- French Open prize money up by 3.3 million euros; male, female winners to get 1.5 million each
- Serena Williams beats Sharapova to win 50th career title in Madrid; Nadal wins men's event
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.