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LEIPZIG (Germany), Sept 28: Anastasia Myskina caused one of the year’s biggest upsets when she stunned world number two Justine Henin-Hardenne 3-6 6-3 6-3 to win the Leipzig Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Russian third seed, who reached the final after top seed Kim Clijsters retired with a strained ankle during their semi-final on Saturday, outplayed the French and U.S. Open champion to win her third title of the season.
Having lost the first set, Myskina dominated the latter stages with her bold counter-hitting tactics.
Although the Belgian failed to win her eighth title of the year, she nevertheless closed the gap with the world number one Clijsters in the rankings.
Henin will trail her compatriot by 288 points when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday.
“I have mixed feelings about the week,” Henin said.
“I have had a good week and will go to Filderstadt feeling I can do even better.
“But of course it’s disappointing to lose.”
Dent downs Ferrero
BANGKOK: Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero was reassessing his hard-court skills on Sunday after absorbing a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) defeat in the final of the 550,000-dollar Thailand Open.
The inaugural edition of the event went to American Taylor Dent, who mowed down the Spaniard with a take-no-prisoners serve attack which can create big risks - or pay big dividends.
Eight aces and constant pressure worked well for the 22-year-old winner, who collected his second title of the season and third of his career.
He now stands 1-1 with Ferrero, who was denied a 2003 trophy for the third time in six finals on the season.
The French Open and Monte Carlos champion lamented his form.
“I’m disappointed, I’ve lost two finals in a short time (including the U.S. Open to Andy Roddick). But when you lose finals, it at least means you are playing well to get into them.”
Ferrero said he never felt comfortable as Dent forced the issue with a huge serve followed by a predictable rush to the net. A passing shot strategy didn’t go well for Ferrero.
“I’m sad now, but tomorrow I’ll be better,” said the world number 1. “But at least I’ll stay number 1, that was one of my goals in this tournament.”
Ferrero lost the opening on one break of serve, then couldn’t pull through after taking the second set into a tie-breaker.
“It was tough for me to come here and defend the number 1. But I now have a chance to get some points in Vienna as I have none to defend,” he said of his next tournament starting October 6.
“It was tough against Dent, especially when he is serving well. You have to take it to a tiebreaker because it’s so tough to break his serve.”
Dent thrived in the conditions, watched by a sellout crowd of 10,000 at the Impact arena.
“I was struggling at the start, but I was happy to hang onto my serve,” said the American, ranked 54th. “It’s just a great feeling to win. I gutted it out today. My serve was working at times but he was also getting on it.
“I was patchy on volleys, but I ground it out and kept a strong mental head about me, that’s what won me the match.
Dent is heading off to next week’s event in Moscow, leaving organisers of the first-ever event in the country to savour their success.
Crowds who came to watch national hero Paradorn Srichaphan, did not decline even after the idol was beaten in the quarter-finals.
Queues to buy tickets formed early for both weekend sessions. Dent said that he was well acclimated to the hot-house conditions and love the atmosphere.
“It will always stick in my memory. It’s funs to play with so much energy in the air. I can’t remember anywhere where they made so much noise - even if most of it was against me. But that’s what makes it real, it was fun.” — Agencies
