Petra Kvitova powers to WTA win

Petra Kvitova provided further proof that she is the rising force in women’s tennis by beating Victoria Azarenka 7-5 4-6 6-3 to win the WTA Championships on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Czech, who shot to fame by winning Wimbledon this year, produced a display of power and skill to overpower the gritty Azarenka and claim the $1.75 million jackpot after remaining undefeated at the year-ending event featuring the world’s top eight players.

Victory also confirmed Kvitova at a career-high second in the WTA rankings after ending 2010 in 34th spot and she will enter the new year with No1 Caroline Wozniacki in her sights.

She is the first Czech to win the Championships since Jana Novotna in 1997. “When I started the season I was 34, and I didn’t expect that I will be sitting here as champion and I have grand slam already,” Kvitova told reporters. “Really it’s unbelievable. It’s really a big step for me.”