|
|
|
| April 11, 2006 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1427 |
Tennis: Petrova claims 2nd WTA crown
NEW YORK, April 10: Russia's Nadia Petrova captured her second WTA event of the year after beating third seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the $600,000 Amelia Island Tournament on Sunday.
It was the third tournament title in six months for the 23-year-old top seed, who beat Schiavone for the first time in five career matches.
“Hopefully, I'll get more and more titles this year,” Petrova told journalists.
“I really wasn't thinking I would get far this week.”
Petrova broke her opponent in the first game of each set, and benefited from Schiavone committing five double faults in the match.
Schiavone, 25, is now 0-7 in finals during her nine-year career, as she once again came up just short of winning a title.
The Russian fired four aces and her booming serve kept the Italian off balance in most rallies.
She held serve throughout the first set, but made two unforced errors after leading 2-0 in the second set to allow Schiavone to get back into the match.
But the Russian's powerful serve took over again, and two-double faults by Schiavone allowed Petrova to retake the lead 4-3 in the second set, setting the stage for the win.
“One day I will do it. I promise to you,” said world number 13 Schiavone.
“Better late than never, so maybe the next one.”—Reuters
|
|
|
|
