Czech Petra Kvitova beats compatriot Karolina Pliskova to win the Sydney International

The world No.4 and second seed needed to win two tie-breakers to clinch victory over her team mate in a big hitting contest at the Ken Rosewell Arena.

Kvitova said it was "always tough" to face a friend, and she hoped that Pliskova, the younger and less experienced player, would have a "good one" in Melbourne.

"I'm just glad how I played today. I mean, it was very a tough match to really handle it, everything. Two tie-breakers, it's always very difficult. Karolina played really well and she served very well, and, you know, was really difficult," Kvitova said.

It was Pliskova who got off to a blistering start, seizing the lead on her third break point in the opening game and comfortably holding her own serve.

But Kvitova, a dual Wimbledon winner and favourite for the tournament title, settled into a rhythm and both players traded service holds.

With Pliskova serving for the set, Kvitova rallied and let out a scream of delight when she got the break which she followed with a love service hold to take the lead 6-5.

Pliskova, 22, didn't lose her nerve and held her service game, forcing the set to a tight tie-breaker, where Kvitova edged ahead to take the opener 7-6 (5) in 52 minutes.

Kvitova brought her momentum into the second set, breaking her opponent's serve in the third game. Yet Pliskova fought gallantly, breaking back and holding her own.

Kvitova needed a second tie-breaker to win, but victory didn't come easily. The powerful left hander opened up a four point lead, but Pliskova kept fighting and won four in a row to even the score 5-5. With the score locked in at 6-6, Kvitova pulled ahead to win the set 7-6 (6) and her first Sydney International title.

Kvitova said she was probably not prepared for Pliskova's stunning comeback in the final tie-breaker and was lucky to win in the end.

"I didn't play what I had to play in the moment. I know I just really didn't move well and I was a little bit tight.  Maybe I just thought it was going to be like she was going to make some mistakes.But she didn't, so it was tough," Kvitova said.

Pliskova, who finished her 2014 season with more aces than any other player apart from Serena Williams, was this week playing at a career-high ranking of 22.

But Pliskova said she felt tired during the final after competing in doubles as well as singles and playing a series of late-finishing games.

"I feel today I must say a little bit tired.  Also in the match I wasn't that ‑ I don't want to say fast, because I'm not that fast normally ‑ but I felt a little bit tired, not that much power in my serve," Pliskova said.

"[Petra] was really better today and deserved to win. It was a good match for me. She is four in the world, so I'm not really sad."

The pair had met on the court only once before in a three set affair won by Kvitova in the 2014 Wuhan R16.

When asked if she looked up to any players, Pliskova said she admired her Fed Cup team mate most.

"I would say maybe Petra because she has a similar game like me and she's really acting well on the court and playing well," Pliskova said.

"I have to say she's probably now the player which I would love to play like or behave like."