Kvitova clinches US Open Series title in New Haven

By Pat Eaton-robb

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Aug. 23 2012 7:12 p.m. MDT

Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, hits a forehand during her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Lucie Safarova, also of the Czech Republic, in their quarterfinal match at the New Haven Open tennis tournament in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012.

Fred Beckham, Associated Press

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Summary

Petra Kvitova clinched the U.S. Open Series title with a victory over Lucie Safarova in the quarterfinals of the New Haven Open.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Petra Kvitova clinched the U.S. Open Series title with a victory over Lucie Safarova in the quarterfinals of the New Haven Open.

The world's fifth-ranked player had little trouble with her friend and countrywoman, winning 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday.

In the semifinals Friday, she will play the winner of the late match between Marion Bartoli and Sara Errani.

Four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki will play Maria Kirilenko in the other semifinal. Wozniacki overcame a knee injury to beat Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1, and Kirilenko downed qualifier Olga Govortsova 6-1, 6-2.

The series win makes Kvitova eligible for a bonus of up to $1 million depending on her placement in next week's U.S. Open.

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