Defending champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat countrywoman Klara Zakopalova 6-0 6-1 on Friday to return to the finals of the New Haven Open.
Kvitova, who had fought through three, three-set matches en route to the semi-finals, dominated her friend in a meeting that lasted only 50 minutes.
“I played my game, finally today,” she said. “I played aggressively. I can improve my serve. I had some double faults again, so I can still improve.”
Kvitova won 53 of the 76 points in the match.
Zakopalova earned only three points in the second set before holding serve and closing to 5-1 with her only game win. She finished with 10 points in the set.
Kvitova ended things on her serve, striking an ace on the final point.
“She just played fantastic tennis today without any mistakes,” Zakopalova said. “I think everything was working for her, so I have to just congratulate her, wish her good luck because she was the better player today, for sure.”
Kvitova leads the WTA Tour’s top 100 players with 29 three-set matches this season. She didn’t let this one get close, with each set lasting 25 minutes.
“That’s helpful, for sure, before (Saturday’s) final,” she said. “I hope that helps me to have more time for rest, not be on the court pretty long. So that’s the good thing.”