The 21-year-old, who is the first Czech since Jana Novotna in 1998 to make the title match, will tackle 2004 champion Maria Sharapova in Saturday's finl.
She is also only the fourth left-handed female player to reach the Wimbledon final since tennis turned professional in 1968, and the first since her childhood inspiration Martina Navratilova, who was watching from the Royal Box on Centre Court, in 1990.
"I saw Martina in the locker room and she wished me good luck. I'm so happy but I don't really believe I am in the final," said Kvitova, whose 40 winners to Azarenka's nine were the foundation of her triumph.
Azarenka was playing in her first major semifinal, after losing quarterfinals at 2009 Roland Garros, 2009 Wimbledon, 2010 Australian Open and this year's French Open. She thought about quitting the sport after losing in the first round of an event in Doha in February. She told reporters after the Wimbledon quarter-final that her grandmother had talked her out of it, pointing out to her that life as a tennis player was a lot better than trying to hold down three jobs at the same time.
Kvitova, who trains at the same Czech club as last year's finalist, Tomas Berdych, reached last year's Wimbledon semi-final, where she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams, having never previously won a match on grass.
In the other semi Maria Sharapova recoverd from a sluggish love-3 start to post an impressive 6-4 6-3 win over Sabine Lisicki, who is finally hitting her form after a lengthy injury time off.
The Final, you should know the deal by now...
Maria Sharapova vs Petra Kvitova
Shoulder vs Nervous
Experience vs Eager youth
Kvitova in 3, winning two easy sets after a challenging first, something like 5-7 6-2 6-3.
3 comments:
I think Ostrich is going to have her way with Diva.
M.Bhupathi/E.Vesnina over J.Erlich/S.Peer 6-4, 6-1.
I also take the Ostrich over Divapova.
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