TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The dream of the 22nd ranked Russian player, Ekaterina Makarova, took the championship title in a tournament under the Women's World Tennis Association for the second time. The 180 cm player took the title in the Pattaya Open in Thailand, yesterday.
In the finals, Makarova, 25 years old, defeated Czech player Karolina Pliskova, with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7). Makarova won in the first set relatively easy. However, in the second set she was slowed down and left behind 5-6.
With sheer determination, Makarova managed to tie the score 6-6. During the tiebreak, Makarova led 5-2. But Pliskova gave a very aggressive fight and went ahead to 6-5. Duringthe set point, Pliskova's smash hit the net and the game was tied at 6-6.
Pliskova then went on to lead 7-6, but she did a double fault twice, gave Makarova the opportunity to turn the match around 8-7. With a steel resolution, Makarova went on to win the 9-7 tie break.
"I tried to focus on the return serve to score. I am very happy with the victory for the second time," she said after the match.
This is her second victory in Thailand. Before, she had won her first WTA victory in Eastbourne, England, in 2010.
REUTERS | WTA
