Petra Kvitova shows major respect for Elena Rybakina ahead of Miami final



by DZEVAD MESIC

Petra Kvitova shows major respect for Elena Rybakina ahead of Miami final

Petra Kvitova acknowledged Elena Rybakina's stunning form and admitted that the Kazakh is going to be the favorite in their Miami Open final meeting. Kvitova, a former world No 2, defeated Sorana Cirstea 7-5 6-4 to set up a Rybakina final in Miami.

Rybakina, who won Indian Wells two weeks ago, is now a win away from completing the Sunshine Double. “We played 2 times. Definitely she’s the favorite. She’s playing amazing. Winning Indian Wells, being in the final here.

What can I say? I’m just ready for the final. I’m gonna leave everything out there. I’m gonna fight hell," Kvitova said of facing Rybakina, per The Tennis Letter.

Rybakina, Kvitova set to meet for the third time

In the fall of 2022, Rybakina defeated Kvitova in two sets in Ostrava.

At the start of the 2023 season, Kvitova got her revenge as she defeated Rybakina in Adelaide 2. After beating Jessica Pegula in the Miami semifinal, Rybakina was asked what if Kvitova was her opponent in the Miami final.

"Against Petra I played in the beginning of the year, and she played really well, but it was much faster courts there. I think it's gonna be different if I play against her again, but for sure it's a lot physically, because here the courts are quite slow, especially after rain.

When it's that humid, it's not easy. Both matches, no matter who I play, is going to be very tough. Hopefully I can make one last push and it's gonna go my way," Rybakina said after beating Pegula. Last year, Kvitova won one title - her lone victory of the year came on the grass courts of Eastbourne.

Now, Kvitova is a win away from winning her first title of the 2023 season. It remains to be seen if Kvitova can pull off a big upset and end Rybakina's streak of 13 consecutive wins.

Petra Kvitova Elena Rybakina