0
DUBAI, Feb 23: Top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne saved a match point on her way to beating Monica Seles 4-6 7-6 7-5 to win the seventh title of her career at the Dubai Open on Saturday.
There was little between the players throughout the two hour 45-minute battle, although it was fourth-seeded American Seles who held the slightest advantage.
Her pounding groundstrokes and fine placement played a major part in her challenge, but her willingness to come to the net and volley was only partially successful.
Belgium’s Henin-Hardenne, winning her title since October, threatened with both a penetrating backhand and forehand, but she was let down at sometimes crucial stages by a serve that generated 12 double-faults.
The shortcomings of both players, however, were easily overshadowed by the fiercely competitive contest. They produced countless thrilling rallies of the highest quality, and the outcome remained in the balance until the final point.
In doubles, Martina Navratilova won her second WTA Tour title of the year with partner Svetlana Kuznetsova, beating Cara Black and Elena Likhovtseva 7-3 7-6.
It was the 168th doubles title of her career, and came in addition to her mixed doubles title at the Australian Open last month.
FIRST TITLE FOR MIRNYI
ROTTERDAM: Belarussian Max Mirnyi stormed to his first career title with 7-6 6-4 final victory over local favourite Raemon Sluiter at the World Indoor Tournament on Sunday.
Although Rotterdam-born Sluiter was hoping to celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary in style, Mirnyi simply gatecrashed the party to snatch the trophy and the $154,000 winner’s purse.
Having knocked out former champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov and second seed Roger Federer in the previous two rounds, the towering Mirnyi outplayed world number 72 Sluiter with a onslaught of thundering serves and deep penetrating groundstrokes.—Reuters
