BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Lucie Safarova in the Aegon Classic semifinals on Saturday to reach the first final since her playing hand was injured in a knife attack at her home last year.
The left-handed Czech dominated from the start against compatriot Safarova, who retired at 6-1, 1-0 down.
Although brief, it was a useful outing for Kvitova, who once more hit the ball with pace and accuracy with her ground strokes.
Kvitova held her opening service game to love, captured 14 of the first 15 points, and the first five games.