Petra Kvitova defeated Elena Rybakina to win the Miami Open by a score of 7-6 (16-14) 6-2, ending Rybakina’s impressive run in the United States.
The 33-year-old, two-time grand slam champion Kvitova deprives rising star Rybakina of the Sunshine Double by becoming the second-oldest Miami champion.
Despite being in incredible shape and having just won the Indian Wells Open, Rybakina was unable to find her rhythm on Saturday.
Kvitova gained momentum in the second set after winning the first one in a drawn-out tie-break, cruising to a 5-2 lead before breaking to win it with a long forehand from Rybakina.
“It feels unbelievable. I’m 33, and it’s my 30th title, so I’m very happy,” Kvitova told Amazon Prime Sport.
“I didn’t think, that was the key. Elena didn’t lose a tie-break [this season]. I thought, well, she has to lose at some time. I had to be a bit more aggressive, it was a bit of a struggle. I was a bit nervous, yes.
“I would have laughed [if someone told me I was going to win] but it feels great for sure. Nobody expected this, not me, not my team. I’m happy I’m injury free and, oh my God, I made it.”
Kvitova is the second woman to win the singles title in Miami after turning 33, following Serena Williams in 2015.
Indeed, only Serena Williams (68), Justine Henin (42), Venus Williams (40), Kim Clijsters (40) and Maria Sharapova (36) have more WTA singles title to their name in the 21st century than the Czech.
Rybakina, meanwhile, will lament the chance of a Sunshine Double going begging.
The 23-year-old is the fourth player to fail to win the Sunshine Double in Miami’s final after Serena Williams (1999), Lindsay Davenport (2000) and Sharapova (2006 and 2013).
“I want to congratulate Petra for a great two weeks here in Miami, and good luck for the rest of the year,” said Rybakina. “Thank you to my team, we’ll keep going.”