Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova claimed her maiden Miami Open title with an impressive straight-set victory over Elena Rybakina.
The 33-year-old Kvitova ended a 13-match winning streak for Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who was chasing the Sunshine Double after triumphing at Indian Wells last month, by sealing a 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 win.
The two-time Grand Slam winner Kvitova will move back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since September 2021 with the 1,000 ranking points which accompanied her victory, in addition to $1.26m in prize money.
Reaching the Miami final for the first time in 13 attempts – the 41st final of her career – the Czech produced a clinical display against a player boasting the most main-draw wins (21) on the WTA Tour this year in Kazakhstan’s Rybakina.
She has now won 30 WTA singles titles with only Venus Williams having more (49) than her amongst active players.