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Kvitova prevails to claim record third Madrid title

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/05/13/petra-kvitova-rtr-051318.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Czech Republic&#x27;s Petra Kvitova celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Netherlands&#x27; Kiki Bertens. Paul Hanna, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>MADRID - Petra Kvitova outlasted the unseeded Kiki Bertens to win a thrilling Madrid Open final on Saturday 7-6(8-6) 4-6 6-3 and become the first player to lift the trophy for a third time.Czech Kvitova, ranked 10th in the world, struck the first blow in a tense match which lasted two hours 52 minutes by edging the tie-break at the end of a gruelling 75-minute first set, taking advantage of a third set point when Bertens found the net.The Dutchwoman had beaten Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova in a sparkling week in the Spanish capital to reach her first premier mandatory final and recovered well from surrendering the first set to take the second.She led by a break in the third but let her advantage slip and Kvitova broke twice in a row to take a 4-2 lead in the decider.Bertens broke back to make it 4-3 but lost her next service game and Kvitova served out the final game to love, sealing victory when Bertens hit the tramlines with a backhand.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/tennis/news/2018/05/12/nadal-loses-thiem-madrid-first-loss-clay-1-year-41503">READ: Nadal loses to Thiem in Madrid, first loss on clay in 1 year</a></li></ul>In doing so, she took her landmark third title, surpassing the two each won by Serena Williams and Simona Halep in Madrid, which established a women&#x27;s section in 2009.&quot;Everything what I had in my body, I just tried to put it out, even if it was very, very tough today,&quot; Kvitova said.&quot;She played great tennis. It was a big fight. We both should be very proud of this beautiful final we played today.&quot;Bertens paid tribute to her opponent and agreed with Kvitova that the final had been a thrilling spectacle.&quot;It was a great final. I had some chances in the beginning of the third, but didn&#x27;t take it. Petra was playing some unbelievable shots there. So, yeah, credit to her today,&quot; she said.Twice-Wimbledon winner Kvitova was forced out of action for more than five months last year after her racket hand was stabbed by a burglar who broke into her apartment in December 2016.But she has returned with a vengeance, winning the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy, the Qatar Total Open and the Prague Open this year before making history in Madrid.&quot;It feels sweet and weird as well,&quot; added Kvitova.&quot;I didn&#x27;t really expect that, even the same time last year. Even coming from Prague last week, I didn&#x27;t think I could be in the final, winning another trophy. My body is exhausted, so I&#x27;m pretty surprised.&quot;Every title feels great. Winning three times here in Madrid, it means something.&quot; <div>(Reporting by Richard Martin, Editing by Neville Dalton/Gene Cherry)</div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Petra Kvitova outlasted the unseeded Kiki Bertens to win a thrilling Madrid Open final on Saturday 7-6(8-6) 4-6 6-3 and become the first player to lift the trophy for a third time.

Petra Kvitova outlasted the unseeded Kiki Bertens to win a thrilling Madrid Open final on Saturday 7-6(8-6) 4-6 6-3 and become the first player to lift the trophy for a third time.