Kvitova looking to tap into killer instincts in Australian Open final

MELBOURNE — Petra Kvitova has shown inspiring determination in returning to the top of the game in the years following a knife attack in her home in 2016. When she fended off the attacker, her left hand was badly damaged, requiring hours of surgery with no guarantee that she would ever compete at a high level again.

The 28-year-old won a title just weeks into her return in 2017 in Birmingham and captured five titles in 2018. But her record at the Grand Slams was subpar, especially since she has won Wimbledon twice in her career. Her coach Jiri Vanek felt that if she wanted to go higher, the cheerful Kvitova had to have more determination on the court.

"In the beginning, [she] was so nice to me, fitness coach was nice to me, parents, everybody around. She was too much focused on some other people than herself. So I think this just changed," Vanek said. "She's now taking [herself] much more seriously. She seems [to be] really nice lady, always smiling off the court. But she must really have intensity as athlete."

According to Vanek, when Kvitova can find it, she plays her best tennis.

"We call it if she's in her bubble that she play this way," he said. "But sometimes happen, two, three months she's not in the bubble and then she play different way. We just try to put her in a bubble. Then she find her killer instincts.”

That's what Kvitova has done since the beginning of the season, winning the title in Sydney and not dropping a set to reach the final of the Australian Open. The winning start is also a reflection of her improved fitness. In the offseason, Vanek said Kvitova dropped some weight, improving her speed around her court and stamina.

"She feel more comfortable on the court when she's running, when she has longer rallies," Vanek said. "She was working hard on the fitness field. During our preparation before the season, we tried to play as much tennis as we can. That probably helps her a lot."

The former world No. 2 will next play 21-year-old Naomi Osaka, who recently won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. They have not played each other before.

"Naomi of course [is a] great player, and she plays similar game like Petra. She go for winners. Petra go for the winners," said Vanek. "You don't have the time to make some great tactics, especially Petra, it's not like the runner who is pushing the balls back. Both of them are playing so fast. I think it's who is going to have bigger heart and she can do it.”

The winner will gain the No. 1 spot in the rankings.

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