Isner, Wozniacki, Lisicki Claim Saturday ATP/WTA Titles
Isner Battles to ATP Winston-Salem Championship
“Hometown” hero John Isner, who grew up in nearby Greensboro, aced his way to the ATP Winston-Salem title on Saturday, dropping 19 on qualifier Julien Benneteau to defeat the Frenchman 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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“It means a lot for sure to win,” said Isner, who weathered windy conditions with Hurricane Irene making landfall to the east. “Any time you win a tournament at this level, it is a huge accomplishment. For me personally, it is great, to win here in virtually my hometown. I think this is perfect preparation for me heading up north.”
Isner improved to 3-5 in career finals. Benneteau fell to 0-5 in career ATP finals. “If I had been told last Saturday morning when I played my first-round qualifying, that I would make the final, I would have signed up for it for sure,” Benneteau said. “So I have to take the positives from the week, the way I played and the level I had in some matches. I was very close to my best level.”
Wozniacki Tops Unheralded Cetkovska for WTA New Haven Crown
World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki gained some confidence heading into the US Open, on Saturday defeating Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-4, 6-1 to claim her fourth straight title in New Haven.
“It was important for me to start well in the second set,” said Wozniacki after claiming a first set that contained four service breaks between the players. “I just wanted to get a bit of a lead. Then I kept my focus and didn’t let her back in.”
Wozniacki is the first player in nine years to win a WTA title four times in a row, matching Venus Williams at the same New Haven event from 1999-2002.
Lisicki Claims Inaugural Texas Open Title
Sabine Lisicki defeated qualifier Aravane Rezai 6-2, 6-1, in the final of the inaugural Texas Open.
“It was a tough one,” Lisicki said. “I really had to hang in there in the beginning. Aravane’s a tough player. You can’t have any letdowns or else she’ll play very well — she can really go for her shots. I had to make sure I went for mine today.”
It was the third career title for Lisicki after Charleston in 2009 and Birmingham this year, and she improved to 3-2 in career finals. Rezai dropped to 4-3 in career finals.
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