Kvitova returns to title trail

Petra Kvitova is hoping she has put second-season syndrome behind her and can look forward with confidence after winning her first title for more than six months. The 22-year-old Czech played some of her best tennis since claiming the 2011 Wimbledon title to win the Dubai Duty Free Championships here on Saturday night, beating Italy's Sara Errani 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 in the final.

Having won six titles in 2011, Kvitova had won only twice in the intervening 19 months until this victory. "I think that 2011 was really an incredible year for me," Kvitova said. "I knew that in 2012 it would be very tough to repeat everything that I did in 2011, but it was still a pretty solid year for me. I got to the semi-finals of two Grand Slams. This year I didn't start very well, but I'm glad how I'm playing right now."

Kvitova, who had not won a match in two previous appearances here, overcame a sore shoulder and a difficult draw, beating Daniela Hantuchova, Ana Ivanovic, Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki to reach the final. Winning the tournament should see her climb one place to No 7 in the world rankings today.