Berlocq, Klizan, Suarez Navarro Win ATP/WTA Titles
Suarez Navarro Ends 0-5 Streak for 1st WTA Title in Portugal
Much like the Estoril Open which carried a claycourt cache among players before its calendar change and name change, Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro years back was a player to watch. Her sweet one-handed backhand and seeming ability to wear down opponents turned heads, but the championship mentality never materialized, with the Spaniard going 0-5 in her first five career WTA finals.
ADHEREL
On Saturday Suarez Navarro broke that duck, defeating former world No. 2 and French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the final of the Portugal Open in Oeiras. In a final of players not known for their mental fortitude, Kuznetsova was serving at 4-1 deuce in the final set before going on to lose 18 of the next 24 points.
“I was a little bit nervous today,” said Suarez Navarro, appearing in her third straight Portugal Open final. “It was a difficult match too — it was windy today and we were both making mistakes, and we know each other well…on match point I was only thinking to put the ball in, and that’s what I did.” Kuznetsova fell to 13-20 in career finals, reaching her first final in three years.
Berlocq Eats Bagel Then Beats Berdych
After getting bageled in the first set, Carlos Berlocq came back to shock top-seeded Tomas Berdych 0-6, 7-5, 6-1 for the title at the Portugal Open.
“In the second set, when I changed my tactics I saw the ball better, committed less errors and it opened the door,” said the 31-year-old Berlocq after capturing his second career title. He was 0-19 entering the week against Top 10 players before defeating No. 9 Milos Raonic and Berdych.
Berdych fell to 9-13 in career finals. “Carlos is a big fighter and he completely changed his game, finding a way to win,” Berdych said.
Qualifier Klizan Shocks for Munich Title
Slovak qualifier Martin Klizan upset top-seeded Fabio Fognini 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday for the title at the BMW Open in Munich, his second career title.
The No. 111-ranked Klizan drove away with the first-place prize money and a white BMW 420d Convertible car. “I had problems with my stomach throughout last night,” Klizan said. “I think I slept only 30 minutes and I am now very tired. I was down after losing the first set, but I just wanted to keep fighting.”
Fognini fell to 3-5 in career finals.
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