Petra Kvitova the hot favourite for Montreal Masters against Li Na – Tennis News
After stunning the hot favourite world number three, Agnieszka Radwanska, earlier in the round of eight, the former French Open champion, Li Na, of China, has booked a place in the final of the Rogers Cup. She outmuscled the 16th
seed Czech contender, Lucie Safarova, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, in the semi-final draw of the coveted mega event in Montreal.
"In the beginning I was trying to shoot as hard as I could, and I was making a lot of mistakes - so I knew I had to start putting the ball back in the court more," Li explained after the match. "This is tennis. You have to put
the ball over the net and back in the court. It looks easy, but sometimes it can be hard to do. When I was 5-1 down, I thought if I shot hard four in a row, I'd lose the match. So I had to change a little bit. I was just trying to take it point by point.”
The former top-tenner from China will face off against the Czech number one, Petra Kvitova, in the title match. The reigning world number six had a terrific contest against the former world number one from Denmark, Caroline Wozniacki,
in three gruelling sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the semis.
Gradually rising to her vintage form, Kvitova is deemed to be the hot favourite for winning the Rogers Cup trophy this season. The drastic title drought is prevailing for the Czech tennis ace in the running year but it appears
to be the perfect time for her to enter the winners’ circle. However, the 22-year-old will be facing a two-match winning streak against the Chinese number one.
In their most recent encounter which took place in the season-opening Apia Sydney International, Kvitova lost to Li Na in a taxing three-setter. The only win she claimed against the Chinese came at the Mutua Madrid Open last year
but it was played on the clay-courts. The faster hard courts of Montreal might pose a tough challenge for the left-handed Czech youngster but her angled forehand strokes are always threatening for her opponents.
Both contenders had won their maiden Grand Slam events last year and are currently labouring extremely hard to end their title drought of the current season. It will be a treat to watch how these two rivals go one-on-one for claiming
glory in Montreal but certainly with younger legs and more enthusiasm, Kvitova is expected to register a straight sets victory on Monday afternoon.
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