First WTA title of the decade: Ekaterina Alexandrova triumphs in Shenzhen
Ekaterina Alexandrova has grabbed the first title on the WTA tour in the new decade. The Russian clearly defeated Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan in the final of Shenzhen by 6-2, 6-4 and secured her first career title.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Jan 11, 2020, 08:46 pm
Alexandrova was number five in China and already won the $ 125,000 tournament in Limoges (France) in December, gave just one set in Shenzhen and extended her winning streak to ten match wins.
"The whole week went very well for me. The first title feels incredible," said Alexandrova after the final. "The first final didn't go according to plan, I really wanted to win this time."
In 2018 she was already in the final in Linz, but was clearly defeated by Camila Giorgi in two sentences.
This time she quickly took the 4-0 lead because she defused Rybakina's strong serves and even beat return winners herself. After a little over half an hour, Alexandrova got the first set, Rybakina only served her serve once.
After a 0: 1 deficit, Rybakina suddenly led 4: 2 in the second round, only to not make a single game afterwards.
Rybakina improves to a career high of 30 in the WTA ranking, Alexandrova will also show a new record as 26th next Monday. both are set at the Australian Open.