Czech Petra Kvitova overcame a second set meltdown to dispatch Angelique Kerber 6-2 0-6 6-3 in the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday to claim her 11th WTA tour title.

The 2011 Wimbledon champion sealed victory on her fourth match point when Kerber could only find the net after the Czech left-hander had forced her back with a customary deep forehand.

It was Kvitova’s second WTA title of the year following her success in Dubai in February and the win is expected to move her up from 11th to seventh in the rankings as she closes in on a spot at the WTA Championships in Istanbul next month.

“It’s always a great feeling if you win a tournament. It means a lot for me. I’m glad I have some points toward the Championships,” Kvitova said after her win at the $2,369,000 hardcourt tournament.

“I still have some tournaments left but I want to focus on today. I just want to enjoy.”

The match-up between the duo, who both ousted former world number ones in the last four, was the first all-left handed WTA final since 2009 and first in 20 years at a ‘Premier’ level.

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