Champion of Champions. Petko Has the Final Laugh in Sofia

A week she started on the wrong foot ended in superb fashion for the ultra-popular Andrea Petkovic who clinched the title in the last edition of the Tournament of Champions in Sofia. After being crushed by Carla Suarez Navarro in the opening round robin match, the German picked herself to cruise past Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova and home hope Tsvetlana Pironkova. With a 2-1 record, she was second in her group and qualified for the semis. 

Having found her game at the best moment, Petko defeated rising star Garbine Muguruza 6-1,6-4 to book a date with Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the final. The match was once again an uphill battle. Flavia was untouchable in the early stages. She was magnificent, sealing the opener 6-1. But as usually with the Italian, she cannot really keep up the intensity for long. As soon as the opponent begins to fight back, she loses the momentum and the battle turns around. That exactly what Petkovic did. She stayed with Pennetta until she saw the opportunity to strike blood, turning things around to claim an epic 1-6,6-4,6-3 victory.

"I love watching Flavia play, but I hate playing her because she's so difficult to play!" said the German. "I'm happy I could gather enough energy and play well enough to win it in the end."

Both players had a great season. Petkovic won three titles—Charleston, Bad Gastein, and now Sofia—in addition to reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. Flavia made the quarterfinals at both the Australian and the US Open and won the biggest crown of her career in Indian Wells. After some tough months marred with injuries, the duo has fought its way back into the top 15 and are seriously threatening to go higher next year. 

"I'm happy I met Flavia in the final because we've both been coming back from injury this year," declared Andrea. "I was so happy when she won Indian Wells because I know what she went through, and so it's even nicer to play her for this title today. I hope the next season is even better for her."

This event marked the end of the regular 2014 season. There are a few 125k tournaments left and of course, the Fed Cup final, but most players have already booked a truly deserved vacation. Petkovic is not one of them though, as the German is hoping to help her country lift the Fed Cup crown for the first time since 1992. Go, #teamGermany!

The exclusive field in Sofia consisted of, from left to right, Andrea Petkovic, Flavia Pennetta, Tsvetlana Pironkova, Ekaterina Makarova, Garbine Muguruza, Dominika Cibulkova, Carla Suarez Navarro, respectively Alize Cornet.

Flavia had a good week in Sofia being very close to lifting the trophy. She was in an excellent position to close out the victory before Petkovic fought back to eventually win an epic final.

Although she lost the first match, Andrea Petkovic rebounded in great style to clinch the trophy. She beat Italian Flavia Pennetta 1-6,6-4,6-3 to crown herself champion of champions in Sofia.

photos: Anton Stakov, Desislava Kulelieva, Anton Stakov