Stosur ends Azarenka hoodoo in Carlsbad
Sam Stosur defeated Victoria Azarenka for the first time in nine meetings to triumph at the Southern Californian Open in Carlsbad, San Diego.
The Australian fifth seed, a wild card entry, broke for 2-0 but lost serve in the third game. However Stosur broke Azarenka again a game later and again at 5-2 when the top seed struck a backhand long on set point.
2011 US Open champion Stosur, who had defeated 2nd seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter finals, broke in the sixth game of the second set and converted her first match point when Azarenka’s final backhand missed the sideline.
Stat Attack – Stosur
- Before the final Stosur had beaten every other member of the top 10 except Azarenka
- It was Stosur’s first WTA singles title since winning the US Open; she now holds a 4-12 record in finals
Stat Attack – Azarenka
- It was only Azarenka’s 4th defeat in 9 tournaments played in 2013
Del Potro hits back to down Isner in Washington
Top seed Juan Martin Del Potro roared back from a set down to defeat John Isner 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and win the Citi Open in Washington for the third time.
Eighth seeded Isner, champion in Atlanta a week previously, broke the Argentinean Wimbledon semi-finalist in the fourth game en route to taking the opening set.
2009 US Open winner Del Potro struck back with venom to break the famed Isner delivery four times over the course of the next two sets and win his 15th ATP World Tour singles title after 89 minutes.
Stat Attack – Del Potro
- The Argentinean had not dropped a set in three previous meetings against Isner and had not dropped serve in those matches
- Having also won the title in 2008 and 2009 Del Potro joins compatriot Guillermo Vilas as a three-time Washington champion
Stat Attack – Isner
- Of Isner’s 14 career singles finals 9 have come on US hard courts; he reached his first career final at Washington in 2007
Rybarikova defends Washington crown
Magdalena Rybarikova successfully defended her title at the Citi Open in Washington with a 6-4, 7-6(2) victory over Andrea Petkovic.
Former World No.9 Petkovic raced into a 4-0 lead in the first set with a point for 5-0 before the reigning champion hit back. Rybarikova, seeded seven, won eight straight games to take charge.
The Slovak led 5-3 in the second before Petkovic fought back to force a tie-break which Rybarikova came through to clinch her 4th WTA singles title.
Stat Attack – Rybarikova
- The Slovak is the fifth woman in 2013 to successfully defend a WTA singles title following Serena Williams, Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Sara Errani
- Rybarikova reached her career high ranking of 39 in July
Stat Attack – Petkovic
- The German’s semi-final victory was her 300th career win
Granollers comeback floors Monaco in Kitzbuhel
Marcel Granollers hit back from a crushing first set to see off Juan Monaco 0-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 and win the bet-at-home Cup Kitzbuhel.
Second seeded Monaco blitzed Granollers in the opening set, losing just 9 points, and appeared on course for a comfortable victory. Granollers however recovered edged the second set to level the match.
The eighth seeded Spaniard carried the momentum into the decider and opened a 4-0 lead. Monaco fought back and broke to stay in the match at 3-5 but Granollers broke again in the tenth game to clinch his 4th career singles title after 2 hours and 13 minutes.
Stat Attack – Granollers
- Granollers is the first player for over three and a half years to win an ATP World Tour final after losing first set 6-0
- Has won three of four meetings against Monaco now including victory in two finals
Stat Attack – Monaco
- Monaco defeated Italian Potito Starace 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to win the Kitzbuhel title in 2007