Kvitova beats Barty in Sydney International women's final

Posted January 12, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, right, holds the winners trophy as she poses for photographers with runner up Ashleigh Barty of Australia after their women's final match at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/David Moir) The Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) - Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Ashleigh Barty 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) in the women's singles final on Saturday at the Sydney International.

Barty led the deciding set 3-0 before Kvitova began a comeback to win her 26th WTA title.

Barty beat No. 1 Simona Halep, No.9 Kiki Bertens and No.12 Elise Mertens on her way to the final.

Kvitova apologized to Barty and the crowd for spoiling the Australian's Sydney party.

"Not to win at home, I'm sorry," Kvitova said. "You know, one day you're going to make it for sure."

Later, Australian Alex de Minaur won the men's singles title when he beat Italian veteran Andreas Seppi 7-5, 7-6 (5). It was de Minaur's second win of the day, after he earlier beat Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-2 in a rain-delayed semifinal from Friday night.

The victory made de Minaur the youngest winner of the Sydney tournament since Lleyton Hewitt also did it as a 19-year-old in 2001.

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Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, right, holds the winner's trophy as she poses for photographers with runner up Ashleigh Barty of Australia after their women's final match at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/David Moir) The Associated Press

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic holds the winners trophy after beating Ashleigh Barty of Australia after their women's final match at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/David Moir) The Associated Press

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