Former champions Petra Kvitova and Madison Keys return to Birmingham
The organizers of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham have made sure to sign some big names more than two months before the start of the WTA Premier event that serves as the last big test for Wimbledon. After Johanna Konta, they have confirmed Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova will return to Birmingham between June 18-24, chasing more success at the event where they grabbed the last three titles. Back in 2016, Madison Keys lifted her second WTA trophy at this tournament, defeating Timea Babos, Tamira Paszek, Jelena Ostapenko, Carla Suarez Navarro and Barbora Strycova for the second crown on grass after Eastbourne 2014.
Recently, the American won the title in Charleston and she will try to carry that form onto grass as well, making the first Birmingham trip since that victory in 2016. One of the best players on the fastest surface in the last decade, Petra Kvitova will compete at the Nature Valley Classic, losing in the opening round back in 2008 when this was a lower-ranked event and returning ever since 2016, winning back-to-back titles in the past two seasons and going for a three-peat this June. World no. 3 claimed the first title after a return there two years ago, beating Ashleigh Barty in the final and going all the way in 2018 as well after five top-30 triumphs and a turnaround against Magdalena Rybarikova in the title match.
“Birmingham is one of the events on the calendar that I look forward to the most. I have beautiful memories from winning the title the past two years. The tournament has a special atmosphere and makes the players feel so welcome. It will be amazing to be back there this summer," said Kvitova.
“Birmingham is such a wonderful event and I have some great memories of playing and winning there. It's the perfect place to compete ahead of Wimbledon, especially as it always has such a strong line-up of top players which means that you know you're going up against some of the best players in the world. I'm looking forward to getting back on the grass there," said Keys.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2X5McG8
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