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MELBOURNE, Australia — Two years ago, Petra Kvitova missed the Australian Open, just weeks after her racket-holding left hand was stabbed by an intruder at her home in the Czech Republic.
Two days from now, back at her best during what she calls her “second career,” Kvitova will play for the championship at Melbourne Park.
Taking control after the court’s retractable roof was closed as the temperature soared toward 100 degrees on Thursday, the No. 7-seeded Kvitova surged to a 7-6 (2), 6-0 semifinal victory over 35th-ranked American Danielle Collins.