Elina Svitolina conquers Shahar Peer to lift the crown – Baku Cup 2013
Ukrainian starlet, Elina Svitolina, outshined the former world number 11, Shahar Peer, in straight sets at the Baku Cup 2013 on Sunday. She penned down a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Israeli star to grab her first WTA title at this International-level event
being held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The high flying teenager showed brilliant tennis at this tournament. She stunned second seeded Donna Vekic and fourth seeded Alexandra Cadantu en route to final.
“Thank you Shahar for a great final,” the beaming Ukrainian stated in the trophy ceremony. “It was a very tough match today and I had a lot of tough matches this week, but I worked really hard coming into the tournament, and it turned out well for me. Thanks
to everyone and I'll see you all next year.”
Svitolina stormed into this battle as she reeled off five straight games and jumped to a 5-1 lead. Regardless of losing her serve in the eighth game, the Ukrainian held her composure and sealed the opener by winning six games to four.
The world number 71, Svitolina, maintained her intensity in the following set. She drew the first blood in the opening game and took the initial lead. Despite squandering her lead in the very next game, the Ukrainian got the breakthrough in the ninth game
and clinched the set with a 6-4 score line.
With this triumph, Svitolina became first teenager to lift a WTA title this year. In face she became first teenager since February 2012 to grab a title. Timea Babos clinched the title at Monterrey in February last year.
Currently standing at 149th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Peer also enjoyed a great week at this tournament. She stunned the third seed, Chanelle Scheepers, in the round of 16.
The Israeli veteran reflected in the post match presser, “I'd like to congratulate you Elina - you played great. I was really happy to be in the final and in this position to win a title, and although I didn't win today, this tournament was great and I had
a great time. Thanks everyone for everything and I hope to be back here next year.”
Peer was playing her first final since College Park two seasons ago. After suffering this loss, she now stands at 5-4 in the WTA finals.
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