Bertens loses fantastic final in Madrid

Kiki Bertens was not able to conclude her great week at the big WTA tournament in Madrid with a victory. The player from Wateringen was defeated by the world number ten Petra Kvitova in the spectacular final of this prestigious event: 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3.

Bertens reached the final against Kvitova after her impressive victories against, among others, five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and top 10 players Caroline Wozniacki and Caroline Garcia. Kvitova is not only a two-time Wimbledon champion, but also two-time winner of the tournament in the Spanish capital. Holland’s number one played very well in the biggest match of her career.

The first set, which lasted 74 minutes, had to be decided in a tiebreak when Bertens could not hold on to a break advantage. Finally the hard-won tiebreak was won with 8-6 by the left-handed Kvitova. The second set was won by Bertens, who managed to use her break advantage to win the set: 6-4.

The start of the third set looked promising for Bertens, but Kvitova survived and, after nearly three hours, she was lifting the trophy.

Bertens, winner of five WTA titles, takes 15^th position in the world rankings after this match, her best ever.