Canadian Wozniak wins Stanford title
Mon Jul 21, 1:07 AM EDT
Loading...
BY Matthew Cronin
STANFORD, California (Reuters) - Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak captured her first career title by defeating sixth seed Marion Bartoli of France 7-5 6-3 in the final of the Stanford Classic on Sunday.
Wozniak became the first Canadian woman to win a title since 1988.
"I believed in myself, but I never thought I would win the tournament," said Wozniak.
"I surprised myself and I'm so proud of what I accomplished. Going through the qualifying and playing eight matches isn't easy."
Bartoli, who saw off Anna Chakvetadze in the quarter-finals and Ai Sugiyama in the semis, started well and had the chance to serve the first set out after breaking Wozniak to 5-4.
However, the 20-year-old Canadian ripped two stunning backhand winners to break right back before going on to take the set 7-5.
Bartoli needed a medical timeout down 2-1 in the second set for a left hip injury and was clearly hampered in her movement the rest of the way.
Bartoli said she felt pain in her morning practice but it became more intense as they match went on.
"My leg was moving so slowly and I wasn't able to hit the ball like I was in the past matches," said Bartoli.
"It started to get really bad in the second, but I just wanted to finish the match so the fans could see a complete match."
Wozniak, who could rise to the top 50 in the world rankings, has her sights set on going even higher.
"I can definitely be top 10," she said
"Everyone has their time when they feel more mature and learn to control their emotions when they play the big champions. The quicker you believe in yourself, the more success comes."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
(c) Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
Hot in the Sports Forums
Most Popular News
-
Palin switched colleges 6 times in 6 years
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin seems to have switched colleges at least six times in six years, including two stints at the University of Idaho before graduating from there in 1987.
-
Intruders shot after Texas couple wrests shotgun
When two gunmen smashed through the glass front door of her suburban Fort Worth home, Kellie Hoehn didn't think twice.
-
Man accused of making license plate 'disappear'
New York authorities didn't see this one coming. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the driver of a tractor-trailer rigged the front license plate of his vehicle so that it would "disappear" as he drove through a toll plaza, allowing him to avoid paying the $40 fee.
-
Hurricane Ike targets Gulf as Hanna hits Carolinas
Fierce Hurricane Ike weakened as it charged across the Atlantic on Friday and took aim at south Florida and the oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico, while Tropical Storm Hanna buffeted the Carolinas after killing at least 529 people in Haiti.
-
Report: Palin sent e-mails complaining of trooper
Gov. Sarah Palin sent e-mails to the state's top police official, criticizing Alaska State Troopers for their investigation of an officer who went through a bitter divorce with her sister, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
