Kvitova crowned women's champion in Madrid Open

Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova kisses the trophy after winning the final match against Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 9, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Petra Kvitova was crowned as the champion of the women's tournament in the Mutua Madrid Masters on Saturday.

The number four seed, who on Friday inflicted the first defeat of the season on Serena Williams, had few problems in beating the unseeded Russian, Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-2 in a match which lasted one hour and six minutes.

The Czech was in control of the game from the very start and the reigning Wimbledon Champion, who last year reached the semifinals in Madrid, never looked to be in trouble against Kuznetsova.

Rafael Nadal assured his place in his fourth consecutive final in Madrid thanks to a 7-6 (3), 6-1 win against number six seed Tomas Berdych.

Once again Nadal was cheered on by a partisan home crowd in the Caja Magica, but Berdych was able to withstand his pressure for the first set.

However, after losing the first set on the tiebreaker, he wilted under a combination of the Madrid sun and Nadal's powerful clay court play.

Yet to drop a set this week, Nadal will face 2008 champion Andy Murray, who eliminated last year's finalist, Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal has won the last two Madrid Opens, and will attempt to win his fifth overall.