Petra Kvitova books Australian Open final spot with victory over Danielle Collins

Australian Open | Follow the action LIVE 
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Richard Parry24 January 2019

Petra Kvitova blazed her way into her first Australian Open final with victory over Danielle Collins under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.

With temperatures soaring towards 40C in Melbourne, the tournament's new extreme heat policy came into play and the roof was closed with the score at 4-4 in the first set.

Kvitova, who has struggled in the past in hot conditions, found the cooler temperatures much more to her liking and powered to a 7-6 (2) 6-0 victory in an hour and 34 minutes.

Saturday’s final will be Kvitova’s first appearance in a major’s final outside of Wimbledon - from which she holds two titles - and the first since she was stabbed in the hand during an attempted robbery at her house back in December 2016.

Photo: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Speaking after her victory, Kvitova told Eurosport: "It means everything to be in the final. I worked very hard to be in finals of tournaments.

"I will really enjoy the final. Whatever happens I'm really, really happy.

"The first set I was really nervous. I didn't have a full swing. I actually was happier than the fans when the roof closed. I like playing indoors."

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