Kiki Bertens slays Laura Pous-Tio to lift the title at Fes WTA – Tennis Special
Dutch qualifier, Kiki Bertens, devastated the Spanish star, Laura Pous-Tio, with a bagel at the Grand Prix De SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem 2012 on Saturday. She jolted down a 7-5, 6-0 victory against the world number 100 to grab
the title at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) International-level tournament taking place in Fes, Morocco.
The 20-year-old showed spectacular skills outfoxing Pous-Tio in one hour and 17 minutes in their fourth meeting. After stealing the show, Bertens not only leveled the head-to-head series by 2-2 against the veteran but also conquered
her first tournament.
"In the beginning I was very nervous and she started well, but after I won the first set all my nerves were gone," the ecstatic Dutch commented in a post-match press conference. "I love it here. I was here for one week because
I played the qualies too, so I'm a little bit tired now, but I'm going to celebrate tonight and then go back home tomorrow. I'm excited. I'm going to play more tournaments now and try to win more."
Bertens sluggishly entered the Royal Tennis Club de Fes and suffered the first blow in the second game to fall at 0-3. However, she remained focused and recovered in the fifth game. After the Dutch exchanged a serve break, she
cashed in her third break opportunity in the 11th game and eventually bagged the opener by winning seven games to five. Bertens blocked two out of four breakpoints she came across and converted three out of six break chances to her advantage.
The blooming Dutch went berserk in the following set and perfected her game play. She blasted exquisite forehands and backhands to go on a six-game killing spree, consequently pulling out the set with a bagel. Bertens was never
challenged with any breakpoint and capitalised on half of the six break opportunities to earn the glory.
Summing up the youngster’s performance, Bertens clobbered a lower first serve share of 65 per cent as compared to the Spaniard’s 77 per cent and brilliantly clicked 24 out of 36 points on it. She sought 12 break opportunities and
ended the deal with 64 points.
92nd ranked Bertens was at brink of exiting this tournament at the qualifying competition. She was trailing 1-3 against Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino and 1-4 down against Kristyna Pliskova, however, the Dutch made an epic
comeback and qualified for the main draw.
She then maintained consistency in her game and stunned sixth seeded Chanelle Scheepers and the Romanian number one, Simona Halep, en route to title-round.
Pous-Tio on the other end praised her conqueror, "In the final she started attacking more and everything started going faster - she played a very good match today.”
The 27-year-old has made a semi-final berth here before but never advanced further. She was contesting her fourth event after ruling out from the professional tennis due to a left knee injury.
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