Zvonareva wins again

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:23

Windy conditions made it difficult, but Zvonareva maintained her record of not dropping a set all tournament to clinch the biggest title of her career so far.

It is also her second trophy in as many days – after picking up the doubles title on Saturday.

Ivanovic seemed to be gauging the wind better and took an early break in the second game to leave Zvonareva beating the ground in frustration as the former world number one took an early 2-0 lead in the first set.

However, the Russian recovered to break straight back in the next game – and having kept her serve, broke again following a double-fault from Ivanovic.

The next two games went with serve, byt Ivanovic secured a break and had a great chance to take the first set in the 11th game, finding herself on set-point three times. But twice her return was too long, and she hit her third attempt into the net.

It was to be Zvonareva who took the set as Ivanovic sliced the ball into the net to see the Russian win the tie-break 7-5.

Ivanovic came storming back into the match as she broke her opponent’s serve for the third time – and Zvonareva then missed a great opportunity to draw level in the set when she wasted two break-points.

However, the 24-year-old atoned for her errors by winning the next two games without dropping a point – and then taking the next three as well to leave her with a decisive advantage.

Further unforced errors from Ivanovic – who made 44 in the match, compared to Zvonareva’s 16 – led to championship point. The Serbian saved it with a good smash, but Zvonareva won the final on her second championship point when her opponent sent a return long.

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