Zvonareva rules roost

Russian defeats Caroline Wozniacki in summit clash

The Russian surprised even herself after suffering shock defeats in her previous two tournaments, losing to Daniela Hantuchova in the semifinals at Pattaya City and Alisa Kleybanova in Dubai.

Despite playing three-set matches in the quarter and semifinals, Zvonareva showed no signs of fatigue against an opponent who had not previously dropped a set.

Zvonareva broke in the third game and held her serve to take the first set and came back from a break down as she wrapped up the match.

”This is definitely a special moment for me, especially after that tough match against Daniela (Hantuchova) and another great one against Jelena (Jankovic),” said Zvonareva on the WTA website (www.wtatour.com).

”Coming into this tournament I wasn’t expecting to end my week like this. It’s great,” she added after clinching her 11th tour title.

World number one Wozniacki had no complaints. “I’m always disappointed to lose but I played a great competitor today,” said the Dane, winner in Dubai last week.

Ferrer bags crown

World number six David Ferrer successfully defended his Mexican Open title with a three-set victory over fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the Acapulco final on Saturday.
Top seed Ferrer, who has never lost to Almagro in six meetings, won 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 to capture his 11th title while ending his compatriot’s 13-match winning streak.

Argentine fourth seed Gisela Dulko, who lifted her first grand slam title in the women’s doubles at the Australian Open last month, won the women’s final 6-3, 7-6 against Spanish sixth seed Arantxa Parra.

World number 13 Almagro was chasing a record third successive title on the Latin American claycourt circuit after his victories in the Buenos Aires Open last week and the Brazil Open the week before.

Ferrer, who won the Auckland tournament last month, took the first set tiebreak 7-4. He gave himself his first set point with a neat drop shot and took it with an ace.

Almagro, the champion in Acapulco in 2008 and 2009, fought his way back into the match and needed just one set point to take the second tiebreak 7-2 with a brilliant return down Ferrer’s backhand line.

Ferrer then proceeded to open an ultimately decisive 3-0 lead in the third set breaking Almagro’s serve in the first and third games.

Almagro broke back in the fourth but only after Ferrer had saved four break points. Ferrer broke again to lead 4-1 and he eventually won it on his fourth championship point after two hours and 42 minutes.