WTA Hamburg: Sensation woman Elena-Gabriela Ruse crowns the week with a final victory over Andrea Petkovic
Elena-Gabriela Ruse sensationally won the WTA 250 event. The Romanian qualifier defeated the local hero Andrea Petkovic 7: 6 (6) and 6: 4.
by SID
last edit:
Jul 11, 2021, 06:40 pm
Andrea Petkovic missed her first tournament victory in six years at the Hamburg European Open. The tournament ambassador lost to qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse from Romania 6: 7 (6: 8) and 4: 6 in the final. The 23-year-old celebrated the first WTA title of her tennis career.
"Normally I would go home now after such a tournament. But now you have me on the cheek as an ambassador at the men's tournament in Hamburg," said Petkovic after her defeat. After 132 minutes, the number 198 in the world rankings converted her first match point to victory. Stunned, Ruse clapped her hands in front of her face and didn't even seem to be able to understand her success when the loser hugged her congratulating her.
Controversial decision in the tie-break
The crux of the game was the last rally in the first set. The referee awarded the last point in the tie-break to Ruse and overruled the linesman. Petkovic did not agree with this decision at all and reported furiously to go to the toilet.
Even a quick 3-0 lead in the second set did not bring security to Petkovic's actions. Although Ruse had to play her seventh game within seven days, she looked fresher in the closing stages. "I felt incredibly comfortable here for a whole week," said Ruse.