Unseeded German riser Mona Barthel and veteran Russian Maria Kirilenko captured titles over the weekend on the WTA Tour leading into the Fed Cup week.
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Barthel won the Open GDF SUEZ in Paris, taking out top seed Sara Errani 7-5, 7-6(4).

In the second round she upended No. 5 seed Roberta Vinci, and in the quarterfinals No. 3 seed Marion Bartoli. Barthel broke early in both sets, and in both sets held back Errani comebacks.

“Even though I was up a set and 5-2, I knew she’s a fighter and doesn’t give any points away,” Barthel said. “I was a little bit nervous — it was my first final in such a big tournament and she was making it so difficult for me in the end — but I just tried to keep stepping in and going for my shots, and I had to keep telling myself I was still in a position to win the match despite all of those things.”

It was the second WTA title for Barthel after Hobart in 2012. Errani fell to 6-5 in WTA finals.

“Mona serves so well, plays so well from the baseline and physically moves so well — I just couldn’t beat her today,” Errani said.

In the PTT Pattaya Open final, Kirilenko beat German Sabine Lisicki in 2-1/2 hours 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(1).

“I feel great — to win a title is always special, but it’s even more pleasure when you win such a tough one,” said Kirilenko, who won her sixth career title. “It was tough. Sabine played very well. I’m very happy to win this title.”

Lisicki fell to 3-3 in career finals.