Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia secured her first WTA title since 2007, cruising to a convincing 6–0, 6–2 victory over Sara Errani of Italy in just one hour and 16 minutes on Sunday afternoon at the Dusit Thani Pattaya. She did it on the back of a power game which had her opponent running from side to side of the court and despite some deft touches from Errani, she was unable to gain a foothold into the match.
The first set was over quickly as Hantuchova expertly attacked her opponent’s serve and did not give Errani any opportunity to play her game.
Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia holds the trophy after winning her final match over Sara Errani of Italy in the PTT Pattaya Open tennis tournament in Pattaya, Sunday, Feb. 13. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
The Italian finally got on the scoreboard in the opening game of the 2nd set, however any hopes she had of a comeback were quickly snuffed out by Hantuchova, who held serve and then broke her opponent to take a 2–1 lead. Errani did win one more game to make it 5–2, but once again Hantuchova stepped up her game and served out to take the match and the Pattaya title on her first visit to the beachside venue.
“It was a great match,” the 32nd-ranked Hantuchova said. “I didn’t lose a set five matches in a row which is good news. It shows that I’m really focused and physically and mentally strong in this kind of condition.
“Today I knew it was going to be tough,” continued the new champion. “But I stayed focused and played point by point, not giving anything away, trying to get the job done. I was really hungry for another title.”
Sara Errani returned to take part in the doubles final with her friend and compatriot Roberta Vinci, their opponents were Zheng Jie and Sun Shengnan from China. It was the Chinese pair who won the opening set of the match by 6–3. In the 2nd set the match went with serve until the eighth game when the Italian pair broke their opponents to lead 5–3 and duly served out the set. The super tie-break was won by Vinci and Errani 10–5 and was some consolation for the Italian’s loss in the singles final. (Source Pentangle Promotions)
The doubles champions and runners-up pose with their trophies.
Daniela Hantuchova, right, poses with Dusit Thani Pattaya General Manager Chatchawal Supachayanont following her straight sets win over Sara Errani of Italy.
Hantuchova serves to Errani during the first set.
Errani scrambles to chase down a cross court forehand from Hantuchova.
