TENNIS: Kvitova beats Keys to claim Olympic bronze medal

Petra Kvitova recovered from her shock defeat to Monica Puig to claim her first Olympic medal, winning bronze by beating Madison Keys 7-5 2-6 6-2 at Rio 2016.

The two-time Wimbledon champion was stunned by world number 34 Puig in three sets in the semi-final on Friday and was again pushed to a deciding set by 21-year-old Keys.

But a day after her last-four loss it was Kvitova’s experience that won the day as she cantered to the third set – beaking twice – to take the third spot on the podium.

Both players had early chances to break in the opening four games, but the first set looked to be heading to a tie-break until Kvitova struck for a 6-5 lead, producing a rasping forehand to which the American had no answer.

The 26-year-old promptly saw out the set but struggled on serve for much of the second.

Keys finally punished Kvitova’s shakiness in the sixth game of the second, breaking with her seventh opportunity of the contest as the Czech fired into the net.

Kvitova won just one point in the next two games as Keys forced a third set, but the momentum quickly switched again.

World number nine Keys surrendered her serve in the opening game of the decider. That break was quickly consolidated and the American could not survive on her next service game, which saw the scores hit deuce four times, netting to hand Kvitova a 3-0 lead.

Keys fended off two break points to finally get on the board in game five and she had break point as Kvitova served for the match, but there was to be no miraculous comeback as the world number 14 clung on.