Tennis News: Petra Kvitova beats Madison Keys to reach the 40th singles final of her career

Petra Kvitova is looking to win her 30th career women's singles title. She has a win-loss record of 29-10 in the final. 

World No. 28 Petra Kvitova pulled off an impressive reversal after dropping the first set to her American opponent. She raced to a 4-3 lead in the decider and fended a breakpoint attempt from Madison Keys.

The 27-year-old American erased the first two match points she faced with an explosive forehand winner. However, Petra Kvitová secured the victory on her third match point opportunity as a forehand strike by Madison Keys went wide.

After the victory, Petra Kvitova said, "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."

Caroline Garcia overcomes two rain breaks to cruise into the final

World No. 35 Caroline Garcia cruised to the championship match of the Cincinnati Open with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory over World No. 7 Aryna Sabalenka at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 20.

The victory made Caroline Garcia the first woman qualifier to reach the final of the WTA 1000 event. It was also the third victory of the Frenchwoman against a Top-10 opponent for the week, including the wins against World No. 4 Maria Sakkari and World No. No.8 Jessica Pegula.

Caroline Garcia and Aryna Sabalenka faced each other for the first time since their last tour-level meeting at the WTA Elite Trophy in 2018.

The 28-year-old Frenchwoman fired 13 winners to three unforced errors and converted two breakpoint opportunities to clinch the opening set 6-2. 

The match had to be stopped at 1-1 in the second set due to rain. After returning to court, Aryna Sabalenka found her momentum and broke her French opponent three times to clinch the second set 4-6, sending the match into a decider.

Caroline Garcia had to take a medical timeout in the ending moments of the second set to get her left forearm treated. She rediscovered her rhythm in the third set and raced to a 3-1 lead. 

Aryna Sabalenka tried to pull off a reversal, but Caroline Garcia held off a break chance to take a 5-2 lead and wrapped up the twice-delayed match with a victory.

Former World No. 4 Caroline Garcia served eight aces, won 81% of the points on the first serve and broke the serve of her Belarusian opponent six times from 13 opportunities.

In contrast, Aryna Sabalenka served four aces, won 64% of the points on the first serve and broke the serve of Caroline Garcia three times from ten opportunities.

After the victory, Caroline Garcia said, "I guess no one expected it, that's for sure. First, to be in the final of a 1000 event after so many years, and the scenario of today was just unbelievable."

Caroline Garcia will lock horns with Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the championship match of the Cincinnati Open on August 21

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