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Petra Kvitova, playing in her second tournament since returning from a stabbing six months ago, moved into the final of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. The seventh-seeded Czech advanced when fellow countrywoman Lucie Safarova was forced to retire with a lingering right leg injury in the semifinals with Kvitova leading 6-1, 1-0 after just 32 minutes of play.
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In Sunday's final on grass, Kvitova will face Australian Ashleigh Barty, who upset sixth-seeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner, was viciously attacked by a knife-wielding man on Dec. 20 in her Czech Republic home. The incident caused major injuries to her racket-holding left hand as she fought off the intruder. She underwent nearly four hours of surgery on her left hand and forearm, and her left hand is still not fully recovered.
"I am enjoying playing again," Kvitova told the BBC after the match. "I couldn't play for five or six months and I missed it. It wasn't my choice to have a break but I always try to see positive things. I'm trying to enjoy tennis more and seeing things from a different angle."
The 27-year-old Kvitova returns to a WTA final for the first time since winning the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai in November.
"I was just thinking about my game, and yeah, I'm sorry for her that she's unhealthy, but I hope she will be better soon," Kvitova said of Safarova. "I think she had a great run here for sure. I'm happy that I'm in the final, but the way I am going is a bit weird. The hand is good, which is the best news which I can have, and I am not feeling any pain, and that's the best news.
"I couldn't have imagined to have a better comeback than I am having now. You know, Paris was a bit weird and strange, and I couldn't play the best over there. I am happy that I am able to show good tennis here. I played four matches already, so it's a good record and good preparation for the final. I think that my game should be same as every other day, to play fast and aggressive and to show my serve again, and I hope it will help me again."
Kvitova had 16 winners to just eight unforced errors and won 80 percent of points behind her first serve, striking five aces, and moved to a 10-0 career record against Safarova.
"I think that we have really similar games," Kvitova said about her dominance over her fellow Czech lefty. "I just think that we know each other very well, and it's about a few tight points when you play a little bit better and the third thing that is making the difference in the end."
Kvitova, 16th in the world, is looking forward to facing the 21-year-old Barty, ranked No. 77 and advancing to the biggest final of her career.
"Ashleigh, she's the kind of player for sure with a great touch," Kvitova said. "She's changing direction a lot, slice, some volleys drop shot. ... It will be always interesting to play her because you never know what other shots (she) will bring."
Muguruza, a former Wimbledon finalist, could not contain Barty's comeback.
"I think she played very well," Muguruza said of Barty in her post-match press conference. "She was very smart with the slice, which I think is a difficult shot on the grass. Of course I'm disappointed because I thought, you know, I could do the same as the previous matches and get a victory. But I guess the other one played much better today."
Barty knows the title match against Kvitova will be a challenge.
"I don't think you can find any tennis player at all who isn't happy to see (Petra) back and genuinely pleased she's back on tour and being successful," Barty said. "She's one of the nicest girls you'll ever meet, not just in the tennis world. So it's so nice to have her back out on the court.
"Obviously it's a big challenge for me tomorrow. She's won Wimbledon a couple of times and is amazing on grass court as well. So it's going to be a good battle for me."
