Kvitová edges Keys to reach Cincinnati Open final

Petra Kvitová overcame a sluggish start and 10 double faults to beat Madison Keys 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3 on Saturday and advance to the final of the Cincinnati Open.

In the day's first match on a muggy Centre Court, a misfiring Kvitová had trouble getting into gear but produced some of her best tennis when it mattered by breaking the American favourite to start the third set and again to clinch a spot in Sunday's final.

It will mark the 40th WTA Tour singles final for the 32-year-old Czech but first in Cincinnati.

"I expected it to be tough but I didn't expect it to be that tough," said Kvitová, who will return to the top 20 of the world rankings on Monday. "I don't really care about the ranking."

"Being in the final is of course more important, that is why I play tennis to be in the final and fight for the trophy."