Djokovic, Jankovic, Radwanska, Pavlyuchenkova Collect Weekend ATP and WTA Titles
Djokovic Dominates Tsonga for 9th 2015 Title in Shanghai Final
Novak Djokovic won his ninth title of the year on Sunday after easily handling France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the Shanghai Masters.
ADHEREL
“Today the key was to get as many serves back into play to Jo because he has one of the biggest serves in the game,” said Djokovic after collecting a third Shanghai title in four years and extending his winning streak to 17 matches. “Generally I felt always in control of the match. I felt like I’ve done everything right. I’ve won many of my service games very comfortably. I didn’t allow him to get into the rhythm, get into the match.”
Djokovic in the semis rolled past Andy Murray, while Tsonga outlasted Rafael Nadal in three sets.
Tsonga had won his most recent meeting with Djokovic last year in Toronto, but it became apparent it would be a different encounter when the Frenchman was broken in his opening two service games. Djokovic is now 10-0 in finals in China. Tsonga fell to 12-10 in career ATP finals, but rose to No. 9 in the ATP’s Race To London standings.
“The first set went quick,” Tsonga said. “It’s not easy to stop him. He is really consistent on his return. Today I didn’t serve well enough, especially in the first set. After that, in the second, I served a little bit better, and it gave me the opportunity to have a chance on his serve. But finally I was not able to do it, and he broke me at 4-all.
“I’m very satisfied. To come back at your best level, it’s always a long process. I’m happy today to be back really close to the Top 10. Like I said just before, it gave me energy to continue to work hard and try to achieve other good things.”
Jankovic Dashes Kerber Hopes in Hong Kong Final
Jelena Jankovic made good on her semifinal win over former No. 1 Venus Williams, on Sunday coming from a set down to defeat No. 1 seed Angie Kerber 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 for the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open title, the 15th of her career.
“I had an amazing week in Hong Kong,” said Jankovic after winning a second title in one year for the first time in six years. “And Angie, thank you so much for letting me win today. You’ve beaten me so many times, so I’m happy I could finally do it. You’re an amazing competitor and fighter and I’m sure we’ll play again soon.”
Jankovic improved to 2-1 in finals this year, losing in the Indian Wells championships, while Kerber fell to 4-1. A win by Kerber would have clinched her berth in the year-end championships.
“Some days you have a little bit of pain everywhere in your body, but I was really just trying my best until the end of the match,” Kerber said. “Jelena just played too well tonight.”
Radwanska Books Year-End Championships Berth with Tianjin Title
No. 2 seed Agnieszka Radwanska put down Montenegro rookie and first-time finalist Danka Kovinic 6-1, 6-2 to win her 16th WTA title at the Tianjin Open and clinch a spot at the year-end WTA Finals, which will be her fifth straight appearance.
“I saw her here and she played really great tennis this week, so I didn’t really expect to have an easy match or anything,” Radwanska said. “But I was really solid from the beginning. I think I was just using the conditions a little bit better today, and maybe that’s why the score was like that.”
Radwanska improved to 2-1 in 2015 finals, while Kovinic became the first player from Montenegro to reach a WTA quarterfinals or better.
“I’ve watched a lot of her matches on TV but it’s completely different when you step on the court and play against her,” Kovinic said. “She hits very flat, and I was a little too far behind the baseline, which gave her the chance to be more aggressive. She moved me around the court a lot today and just played a really good match.”
No. 7 Pavlyuchenkova Beats Unseeded Friedsam for Linz Crown
No. 7 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won her first title of the year on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-3 win over unseeded Anna-Lena Friedsam in the final of the Generali Ladies Linz in Austria, her eighth career title.
The Russian fought through injuries, arriving on court with a strapped left thigh, then during the match receiving treatment on her right thigh. “It’s a good problem to have, I will find a way to manage, and it’s better like this rather than to leave without trophies,” she said.
Pavlyuchenkov improved to 1-1 in finals this year after falling in the Washington championship match. Friedsam was appearing in her first career final and will re-enter the Top 100.
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