Martina Sucha claimed her first WTA Tour title
with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 win over Ana Isabel Medina Garrigues in the final of ANZ
Tasmanian International in Hobart.
The Slovakian had dropped the first set in three of her matches this week and
looked to be digging herself in a hole again when she fell 3-0 behind to the
Spaniard.
But the 21-year-old battled back to take a tense tie-breaker during which both
players saved two set points.
Sucha continued the momentum to cruise the next set and clinch victory.
She said: "I am thrilled to have won my first title here in Hobart. I hope to be
back next year to defend my title."
Sucha, whose success will take her into the top 50 of the world rankings, will
face Gala Leon Garcia in the first round of next week's Australian Open.
Medina Garrigues had knocked out Mary Pierce and defending champion Rita
Grande, but was unable to mount much of a challenge after suffering a lower
back strain.
The 19-year-old, who will face a qualifier in the first round at Melbourne,
underwent treatment for the problem in the second set.