Petra Kvitova said she had proved the doubters wrong Thursday by reaching her maiden Australian Open final and the first in a Grand Slam since a knife attack derailed her career.
The two-time Wimbledon champion stormed past debutant Danielle Collins 7-6 (7/2), 6-0 in their semi-final after the closure of the roof in searing Melbourne heat gave the Czech a boost.
Collins was matching Kvitova until play was interrupted late in the first set while the roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed as the temperature soared past 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Farenheit).
Czech eighth seed Kvitova said until then she was struggling to find her best form.
"I'm really glad that it (form) came in the tie-break and in the second set," she said.
"I think I was happier than the fans when the roof closed, I like to play indoors and I think that helped me a little bit."
"I'm very happy to have those few around me, which is the best. Hopefully (this will be) for them, for my family and for everybody who was there when I needed it." -
Umpire trouble -
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