Unseeded
Roberta Vinci captured the title Sunday at the
Barcelona Ladies Open, defeating No. 6-seeded Russian
Maria Kirilenko 6-0, 6-4 on the red clay.
It was the second title of Vinci's career after
Bogota two years ago. In the semifinals the Italian faced her biggest test, rallying from 0-6, 2-4 down to defeat countrywoman
Francesca Schiavone.
"It's such a great feeling to win again," Vinci said. "It has been a long time since I played well. I felt good after Marbella -- I had a good match against [Jelena] Jankovic and it gave me confidence coming here to Barcelona."
None of the Top 4 seeds made it to the quarterfinals, with No.3 seed
Anabel Medina Garrigues withdrawing due to an abdominal strain, No. 1 and No. 4 seeds
Alize Cornet and
Kaia Kanepi falling first round, and No. 2
Flavia Pennetta losing in the second round to Vinci.
Kirilenko dropped to 5-3 in career finals, and hasn't won a title since capturing three last year. She was 2-1 versus Vinci entering the final.
In the doubles final,
Nuria Llagostera Vives and Martinez Sanchez of Spain beat the unseeded pairing of
Sorana Cirstea and
Andreja Klepac in the final 3-6, 6-2, 10-8.
