WTA Wrap-Up 9.28.2014: Petra Kvitova Wins 2014 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open Singles Crown; Martina Hingis and Flavia Pennetta Take Doubles Title

Petra Kvitova (click to enlarge)

Back in June, Eugenie Bouchard reached her first ever Major final at Wimbledon 2014. That was the good news. The bad news was that she ran into Petra Kvitova, a player oozing with talent and already familiar with winning a title on Centre Court. Petra blitzed Genie, 6-3 6-0. In the final of the 2014 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, the two young talents would meet again. Although it wasn’t quite as lopsided as their Wimbledon final, once again Petra proved too much for Genie, winning 6-3 6-4. The win officially qualifies Kvitova for the year end WTA Finals. The last time Petra won Wimbledon (in 2011), she also won the year-end finals. Maybe she can pull another Wimbledon-WTA Finals double this year. Wuhan her 3rd title of the year and 14th of her career. I know I sound like a broken record with Petra, but I’ll say it again. If she could ever find consistency in playing at or near her highest level, she would be world #1. And I say that with Serena being out there.

Flavia Pennetta and Martina Hingis (click to enlarge)

Two players with a history of doubles titles partnering with other players won their first together. Martina Hingis and Flavia Pennetta teamed up to take down Cara Black and Caroline Garcia, 6-4 5-7 12-10. The last set, for those that don’t know, is actually a super tie-break, not full games. For Hingis, it’s her 39th career doubles title to go along with 43 singles titles. In doubles, Martina has 9 Majors among those 39 doubles titles and 5 Majors among her 43 singles titles. She also has the career Grand Slam in doubles. She missed the career Grand Slam in singles due to never winning Roland Garros. She was a 2-time singles runner-up in Paris, so she came very close. For Pennetta, it’s her 16th doubles titles. Flavia owns 1 Major in doubles. Both Hingis and Pennetta have been ranked #1 in doubles previously. Of course, Martina was also a #1 ranked singles player. I’ve enjoyed the Martina Hingis doubles comeback. She still has great hands and great skill.