BIRMINGHAM: Petra Kvitova clinched her first title in just her second tournament since returning from a career-threatening hand injury, defeating Australia’s Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Sunday’s Birmingham final. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova was sidelined for five months as she recovered from severe injuries to her left playing hand suffered while fighting off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in the Czech Republic in December. She returned at last month’s French Open, losing in the second round, but will head to Wimbledon as a leading contender for the women’s crown after landing her 20th career title. Published in Daily Times, June 26th, 2017.