Petrova wins Pan Pacific Open

Updated September 29, 2012 19:49:31

Nadia Petrova pulverised world number three Agnieszka Radwanska's defence of the title by beating her in the final to win the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

The Russian, who stormed back from one set and 1-4 down to beat sixth seed Sara Errani and went on to beat eighth seed Samantha Stosur in the last two rounds, pulled off yet another upset by scoring a 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 victory over the Pole.

"I feel amazing. This is the biggest tournament I ever won, and this is a great accomplishment," Petrova said.

"At the beginning of the tournament, I didn't expect to be here, because I had a back injury, so it's delightful to be here right now."

Petrova fired a sizzling service return winner on a break point to take an early 1-0 lead before whitewashing the first set by finishing off with an ace on her second set point.

Radwanska had to save four break points to finally keep her service in the first game of the second set and pulled off her first break when Petrova hit a forehand into the net to move up 2-0.

Petrova lapsed into making errors and took only one point each in the following three games before keeping the sixth game, but Radwanska hit three aces in a row and a service winner to comfortably even it at one set all.

Neither had a break chance in the final set until the score went to 4-3 for Petrova, who took a break point in the eighth game thanks to Radwanska's two double faults.

Petrova broke the game with a backhand winner to go up 5-3 and calmly served out for the match, hitting a forehand volley winner on her second match point.

It was Petrova's second title of the season, following her victory at 's-Hertogenbosch, and 12th overall.

AFP

Tags: tennis, sport, japan

First posted September 29, 2012 19:49:31

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Zvonareva reaches Pan Pacific final

Updated September 30, 2011 21:31:06

Russia's Vera Zvonareva overcame a nightmare start in her Pan Pacific Open semi-final, recovering strongly to power past Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets.

Zvonareva, struggling with her serve, trailed 0-4 to her Czech opponent in the first set before battling back to win a tiebreak then romping through the second set without losing a single game to seal a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 victory.

In the final on Saturday, Zvonareva will take on Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who defeated Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

The 27-year-old Zvonareva, who hit a total of seven double faults in the first set, used an array of deep returns to attack Kvitova's backhand side as she fought back.

"I don't even remember that I was 5-1 down in the first set. I wasn't really thinking about it at all. I was trying to find my rhythm and I couldn't find it in the beginning," said Zvonareva, ranked number four in the world.

"She was playing really well. But slowly I got into the match and started making the shots I usually make and was able to turn it around.

"I think I played consistent in the second set and Petra made a few mistakes. We had tough games but I was able to convert all my chances and that's why the scoreline looked like that."

The 21-year-old Kvitova, ranked sixth, squandered three set points in the first set, allowing the Russian back into the match.

After finding her rhythm, Zvonareva raced into a 4-1 lead in the tie-break, taking the set when Kvitova hit an easy forehand volley into the net.

The Russian had to fend off five break points at the beginning of the second set but she was never really in danger.

"I was the first who was hitting the ball harder and I was the first going for a winner. I don't know what happened," Kvitova said.

"I didn't play my game, I didn't play harder, and I played badly. She came back and played better than me and she was the first who was going for a winner. The first set should have been mine, for sure," she added.

AFP

Tags: sport, tennis, japan

First posted September 30, 2011 21:31:06

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