Siegemund’s Star Rising After WTA Stuttgart Title

Laura Siegemund outlasted Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(5) to win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Sunday in Stuttgart, Germany, capturing the second and biggest title of her career.
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On match point Siegemund ran down a drop shot, flipping it past her French counterpart, and when the chair umpire ruled the line-clipping shot good, the celebration ensured.

“I was so much in the zone that when I finally won — and even to now — I still can’t believe it!” Siegemund told the “WTA Insider.” “I really played great, but I don’t remember a lot of the last few points because I was so focused.”

Serving for the match at 15-30, the German was issued a time violation and point by the chair umpire for slow play. Siegemund lost serve to even it at 5-5 in the third, but eventually closed it out to the delight of the home crowd.

Last year Siegemund needed to qualify to the main draw, and this year needed a wildcard before defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova, Karolina Pliskova, and Simona Halep to reach the final.

Stuttgart was the triumphant return from a 15-month doping violation for former No. 1 Maria Sharapova, who lost to Mladenovic in the semifinals.

Mladenovic fell to 1-5 in career WTA singles finals, while Siegemund improved to 2-1.