World Tennis News – Hsieh outlasts Robson in Quangzhou

Hsieh outlasts Robson in Quangzhou

Hsieh Su-Wei edged past British No.1 Laura Robson 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to win the GRC Bank Guangzhou International Women’s Open in China. 

Hsieh recovered from an early break down to dominate the early stages of the match with her unorthodox game and built a 6-3, 5-3 lead. 

However 18 year-old Robson, playing in her first WTA final, produced a superb fight back. The Briton staved off five match points serving at 3-5 and then broke Hsieh as she served for the match.

Robson maintained the momentum to take the set and open a 3-0 lead in the decider. 26 year-old Hsieh steadied herself and a run of five games put her back in the driving seat.

Serving for the match a second set at 5-4 Hsieh converted her sixth match point when Robson’s backhand landed just wide.

The two hour and 48 minute victory gives Hsieh a second WTA title of 2012. Read about Hsieh's title run in Kuala Lumpar here

Stat Attack – Hsieh

• Hsieh reached her first career WTA semi-final aged 15 at Bali in 2001 and won her first 33 professional matches on the ITF and WTA tour
• The Chinese Taipei No.1 reaches a new career high ranking of 39th this week having started the year ranked 172nd

Stat Attack – Robson

• Robson defeated three seeds - including two former top 15 players – to reach her first WTA final; the first British woman for over 22 years to achieve the feat

Dominant Tsonga defends Metz crown

World No.7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga raced past Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 to defend his title at the Moselle Open in Metz.

The top seeded Frenchman produced a dominant display as he dropped just six points on serve and converted four of six break point opportunities on the Seppi serve.

Tsonga sealed victory after just 50 minutes for his ninth career singles title, and second of 2012 after lifting the Doha title in January. Read about Tsonga's victory in Doha here

Stat Attack – Tsonga

• Tsonga’s victory is the 15th successful title defence on the ATP World Tour in 2012
• Tsonga currently holds the eighth spot in the race to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals sitting 185 points ahead of Janko Tipsarevic

Stat Attack – Seppi

• This is the first year Seppi has reached three ATP World Tour finals – winning in Belgrade, and runner-up showings at the AEGON International and Metz

Klizan seals maiden title in St.Petersburg

Slovakia’s Martin Klizan defeated Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3 to win the St.Petersburg Open for the first ATP World Tour title of his career.

Third seeded Klizan, who survived a marathon semi-final against Mikhail Youzhny, raced into a 4-0 lead against No.4 seed Fognini before taking the first set comfortably.

A tighter second set followed but Klizan reeled off the final three games to clinch victory after 69 minutes.

Stat Attack – Klizan

• Klizan is the first first-time winner on the ATP World Tour in 2012
• The 23 year-old was ranked 101st on 30th April but now reaches a career high ranking of 33rd after his run to the fourth round in New York and title run in St.Petersburg

Stat Attack – Fognini

• In 2011 Fognini won a career best 25 matches, with 22 victories already in 2012 the 25 year-old is on course to surpass that

Wozniacki ends title drought in Seoul

Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki won her first WTA title for thirteen months with a crushing 6-1, 6-0 win over Kaia Kanepi to win the KDB Korea Open in Seoul.

Estonian Kanepi had defeated in their last meeting at Roland Garros but found Wozniacki in strong form in the Korean capital.

The top seeded Dane roared into a 4-0 lead in the first set before Kanepi won her lone game of the match. 

Wozniacki raced through the second set to lift her 19th career singles title after 69 minutes of play. 

Stat Attack – Wozniacki

• Wozniacki had played 22 WTA events since winning her last title at New Haven in August 2011
• The Dane has played 30 WTA singles finals and now holds a 19-11 record

Stat Attack – Kanepi

• Kanepi has reached three WTA finals in a season for the first time in 2012 and is at a career high 15th in the current rankings