Elena Vesnina stuns Mona Barthel to capture her maiden title – Moorilla Hobart International 2013
Russian star, Elena Vesnina, upset the ninth seed, Mona Barthel, in straight sets at the Moorilla Hobart International 2013 on Saturday. She notched up a 6-3, 6-4 victory against the seeded German to grab her first career title at this WTA (Women’s Tennis
Association) International-level tournament taking place in Hobart, Australia.
The unseeded Russian displayed spectacular skills throughout the tournament, eventually bagging her maiden career title in her seventh final showdown. Both contenders last battled each other in Beijing and after pocketing
this match, Vesnina improved to a 2-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series against the defending champion.
The jubilant Russian in a courtside interview after capturing the title, "The biggest difference today was I served better in the key moments and kept a higher percentage of first serves. Even with the wind I was just pushing
myself to serve harder and with more spin - I was telling myself even if I hit double faults it's okay, just don't let her control the points on the second serve. Being aggressive the whole point was my plan for today, starting with the serve and return, but
also from the groundstrokes and going to the net. I felt really great all week."
The 26-year-old stormed into the Hobart International Tennis Centre. She drew the first blood in the opening game and jumped to a 2-0 lead. Apart from losing her edge in the fourth game, the Russian maintained consistency
in her game and dominated afterwards. She reeled off last four games in a row before closing out the opener by winning six games to three.
Ranked 68th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Vesnina lost her track towards the proceeding set. She suffered the first blow in the third game and went 1-2 down. However, the Russian not only recovered in the very next game but
held her composure in the following games. She got the breakthrough in the last game and clinched the set with a 6-4 score line.
Vesnina ruled throughout the tournament. She shocked some seeded players en route to the title-round. She upset fourth seeded Yaroslava Shvedova in the second round and eighth seeded Sloane Stephens in the semis before setting
up clash with the high flying German.
It is good to see that the Russian star is looking to focus on the singles play as well after making a name in the doubles field.
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