Kvitová climbs rankings after 21st title in St. Petersburg; Jágr makes three assists in first game for Kladno; Liberec retires local born Petr Nedvěd’s jersey; national ice hockey team make final Olympics preparations in Prague; and ovations for Rosický on return to Arsenal.
Kvitová takes 21st WTA title in St. Petersburg
Petra Kvitová, photo: CTK
The Czech tennis player Petra Kvitová won the St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy at the weekend for her 21st career WTA title. Kvitová overcame Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 6-2 in Sunday’s final to take her first trophy of the season. The Czech was the first wild card to reach the final of the WTA competition, which she was playing in for the first time. The result means that the two-time Wimbledon champion, who is 27, has climbed eight places in the world rankings to 21. Her highest placing, achieved in November 2011, was second.
Three assists for Jágr in winning start with Kladno
Jaromír Jágr (68), photo: CTK
All eyes were on Jaromír Jágr when the ice hockey legend turned out for the first time for Kladno on Saturday, just days after signing with his hometown club. The 45-year-old, who has been suffering from knee problems, spent a full 20 minutes on the ice and notched up assists for his side’s first three goals as Kladno beat Benátky nad Jizerou 7:2 away. That game was held in the nearby city of Liberec due to ticket demand and featured a second Czech hockey great, Petr Nedvěd, who was in action for the hosts. Nedvěd also had the honour of having his jersey retired by Liberec, the hometown club he played for after 15 seasons in the NHL.
Final Prague training for ice hockey team prior to Olympics
Czech ice hockey team training session, photo: CTK
The Czech ice hockey team have their final training session in Prague on Monday before their departure for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Coach Josef Jandač has 15 members of his 25-member squad available, with some players facing domestic Extraliga games on Tuesday before joining their teammates. The first half of the squad will fly out for the Olympics on Tuesday with the remainder due to follow the next day. No NHL players are taking part in this edition of the games.
Rosický receives ovation from Arsenal fans on return to Emirates
Tomáš Rosický, photo: Filip Jandourek
Tomáš Rosický, who recently called time on his football career, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at English Premier League club Arsenal, where he spent 10 years. The erstwhile midfield maestro received a huge ovation from fans at the Emirates Stadium when he appeared on the pitch at half time during the Gunners’ game against Everton on Saturday, the newspaper Deník Sport reported. Rosický earned 105 international caps and is regarded as one of the greatest Czech players of recent decades.
