DUBAI, Feb 24: Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova claimed her 10th singles title after defeating Sara Errani 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 in the final of the Dubai Open on Saturday.

Kvitova also beat the Italian en route to her previous title — her ninth — in New Haven on the eve of the US Open and despite her improving game, the Czech downplayed her latest success.

“I am not thinking like this is a turning point or turning tournament for me,” said the 22-year-old Kvitova. “There are a lot of great players in the top, and that’s hard to beat them. I’m still thinking about my game. That’s the priority for me.”

Errani, who was voted the tour’s most improved player last year, played with surprising courage to abandon her patient rallying in favour of flatter hitting and net attacks.Although this did not turn the match completely around it did prevent it becoming a rout.

“She was hitting so strong, making winners everywhere — I had to change something to try to win the match, to be more aggressive,” Errani, 25, told reporters.—Agencies