Groth, Paszek claim WTA titles
Originally published on: 20/09/10 10:05
Jarmila Groth followed up on a breakthrough summer in China, defeating Alla Kudryavtseva 6-1 6-4 to clinch her first WTA Title at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open.
The 23-year-old Bratislava-born Aussie, who achieved career-best fourth round runs at both Wimbledon and the French Open this year, notched up three bagels and dropped just 10 games en route to the final.
And after conceding just five games and smashing 11 aces against first-time finalist Kudryavtesva, Groth bettered Maria Sharapova’s Memphis effort earlier this year – conceding just 15 games in the entire tournament, as opposed to the Russian’s 21 back in February.
And after her triumph, Groth headed straight to the nearest phone to tell her husband – ATP player and world No.483 Sam Groth – the good news.
“I rang my husband straight after the match,” said the Melbourne resident. “I knew he was flying in half an hour so I was trying to catch him to tell him I won.”
Groth, whose triumph sees her break into the top 50 for the first time, immediately turned her attentions to her next challenge with thoughts firmly centred on making an impression at her home Grand Slam.
“Hopefully I can get higher now as the main goal is to be seeded for the Australian Open,” she said. “There won’t be much time to celebrate unfortunately. I have a 9am flight to Seoul, where I play Nadia Petrova first round, so I’ll pretty much go back to the hotel and pack my bags!”
In the week’s other WTA tournament in Quebec City, Tamira Paszek edged Bethanie-Mattek-Sands to claim her second WTA Tour Title.
Ranked at No.151 in the world prior to the tournament, the Austrian had to come through qualifying, but ultimately went all the way to the final, eventually rallying back from a 3-1 deficit in the deciding set to defeat the American 7-6(6) 2-6 7-5.
“It’s overwhelming,” said 19-year-old Paszek, who dropped out of the top 100 last year after a season marred by injury. “I’m extremely happy. Anytime you win a tournament for the first time it’s very special. This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Defeated opponent Mattek-Sands reached her first-career final in Quebec City in 2008, but was pleased enough with her 2010 run after being outfought by the Austrian.
“This is my best tournament,” Mattek-Sands said. “When I made the final here again I really wanted to get my picture up on the champion’s wall. Tamira is a tough player. She was injured for a little bit but obviously playing qualifying here and making it all the way to the final, she has been playing really well.”
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