• Czech turns back Bertens in three sets
• Match lasts almost three hours
• ‘It feels sweet and weird,’ says Kvitova

Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens. Photo: Reuters

MADRID: Petra Kvitova outlasted the unseeded Kiki Bertens to win a thrilling Madrid Open final on Saturday 7-6(8-6) 4-6 6-3 and become the first player to lift the trophy for a third time.

Czech Kvitova, ranked 10th in the world, struck the first blow in a tense match which lasted two hours 52 minutes by edging the tie-break at the end of a gruelling 75-minute first set, taking advantage of a third set point when Bertens found the net.

The Dutchwoman had beaten Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova in a sparkling week in the Spanish capital to reach her first premier mandatory final and recovered well from surrendering the first set to take the second.

She led by a break in the third but let her advantage slip and Kvitova broke twice in a row to take a 4-2 lead in the decider.

Bertens broke back to make it 4-3 but lost her next service game and Kvitova served out the final game to love, sealing victory when Bertens hit the tramlines with a backhand.

In doing so, she took her landmark third title, surpassing the two each won by Serena Williams and Simona Halep in Madrid, which established a women’s section in 2009.

“Everything what I had in my body, I just tried to put it out, even if it was very, very tough today,” Kvitova said.

“She played great tennis. It was a big fight. We both should be very proud of this beautiful final we played today.”

Bertens paid tribute to her opponent and agreed with Kvitova that the final had been a thrilling spectacle.

“It was a great final. I had some chances in the beginning of the third, but didn’t take it. Petra was playing some unbelievable shots there. So, yeah, credit to her today,” she said.

Twice-Wimbledon winner Kvitova was forced out of action for more than five months last year after her racket hand was stabbed by a burglar who broke into her apartment in December 2016.

But she has returned with a vengeance, winning the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy, the Qatar Total Open and the Prague Open this year before making history in Madrid.

“It feels sweet and weird as well,” added Kvitova.

“I didn’t really expect that, even the same time last year. Even coming from Prague last week, I didn’t think I could be in the final, winning another trophy. My body is exhausted, so I’m pretty surprised.

“Every title feels great. Winning three times here in Madrid, it means something.”

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Inter Milan players leave the pitch at the end of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Sassuolo at the San Siro stadium, Milan, Italy, on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Photo: Associated Press

MILAN: Inter Milan players were in tears after losing at home to Sassuolo 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday left their chances of qualifying for the Champions League in tatters.

Inter captain Mauro Icardi, Rafinha and other players fell to the ground after the final whistle, several with tears running down their face.

“This defeat hurts us a lot but the team did well,” Inter coach Luciano Spalletti said. “The players were destroyed in the dressing room, it really meant a lot to them and they gave their all.

“Sassuolo did what they had to do and we congratulate them for having won a difficult match. … We went behind but we had all the time to get back into the match … Consigli is a top-class goalkeeper and tonight he showed the talent he has.”

The result meant Roma qualified for the Champions League — no matter how it fares against Juventus on Sunday — as it was four points ahead of Inter, with one round remaining.

Inter remained two points behind fourth-placed Lazio, which can secure a spot in the Champions League with a victory over relegation-threatened Crotone on Sunday.

Inter and Lazio play each other in the last round.

Having already secured safety, Sassuolo had pride to play for and took a surprise lead in the 24th minute when Matteo Politano waited for the wall to jump before rolling a free kick under it and into the bottom right corner.

Goalkeeper Andrea Consigli did well to deny Marcelo Brozovic and Antonio Candreva and pulled off a fantastic stop to keep out Mauro Icardi’s effort on the stroke of halftime.

Icardi had the ball in the net moments earlier but it was ruled out for offside.

Consigli continued to perform heroics after the break and Domenico Berardi doubled Sassuolo’s lead in the 72nd, beating a defender before firing powerfully into the back of the net.

Rafinha netted his first goal for Inter 10 minutes from time with a low shot which went in off the base of the post.

The Nerazzurri layed seige to the goal but could not find a way past Consigli.

GOODBYE

Demoted Benevento marked its final home match in Serie A by beating Genoa 1-0.

Cheick Diabate scored four minutes from time, thanks to a great run from Enrico Brignola, who started in his own half and shrugged off two tackles before rolling across for his teammate.

Home goalkeeper Christian Puggioni pulled off some fine saves

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