Eurosport - Sat, 20 Jun 19:40:00 2009
Russian Dmitry Tursunov became the first men's champion at the Eastbourne International with a 6-3 7-6 win over Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic but suffered an ankle injury that could dent his Wimbledon hopes.
In the women's final, world number nine Caroline Wozniacki made ideal preparations for Wimbledon by beating Virginie Razzano 7-6(5) 7-5.
The second-seeded Tursunov underwent surgery to remove bone spurs on his ankle six weeks ago but said Saturday's injury, which was treated by the trainer on court near the end of the final, was something new.
"It is a completely different thing, it feels more like a tendon," Tursunov, who has been seeded 25th for next week's Wimbledon and reached the third round last year, said.
Asked if the injury would prevent him playing at the All England Club, Tursunov said: "I am definitely going to try to come out, unless I am going to be on crutches." He added, laughing: "Even then I will try to come out."
Dancevic, ranked 126 in the world, had beaten top seed Igor Andreev of Russia in the first round and proved a tough opponent for Tursunov on the Devonshire Park grass.
A single break settled the first set and only one game in the second set offered any break points after Dancevic hit two double faults, though he then managed to hold serve.
Tursunov had his ankle taped before the tiebreak and gave away one matchpoint when Dancevic pushed him into a forehand error after a long rally, but the Russian took victory on his second matchpoint with a winning return.
Eastbourne has held a women's pre-Wimbledon tournament since 1974 but this is the first time the seaside venue has also hosted a men's event.
Wozniacki completed the straight sets victory over an opponent who saw off both top seed Elena Dementieva and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the final.
The Dane broke Razzano's serve in the sixth game as both players struggled to get the better of the windy conditions.
For a long time, that looked to be enough for her to seal the first set, but in the ninth Razzano made the most of her teenage opponent hitting the net with a simple two-handed backhand to convert the second of two set points.
The French player fought back again after going 6-1 down in the tie break, but she could not quite complete the comeback and Wozniacki took the first set.
Her run continued as she broke Razzano's serve in the first game of the second set, before a run of three consecutive breaks saw Razzano level at 4-4.
From then on, both players were regularly earning and subsequently failing to convert break points, until Razzano's winner right down the line was called out to give Wozniacki a 6-5 lead and the chance for her to serve out the match, which she did as Razzano's sliced drop shot failed to get over the net.
Wozniacki can now look forward to beginning her campaign at the All England Club next week with a first round match against Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm after banking her winner's cheque of $98,500.
Comment 1 - 14 of 14
Caroline is a great person! She set her goal on top of ranking and been working very @#$% it. Slowly she has worked her way to top ten.I wish her all the best the rest of the way. She is a person that makes me proude i´m a dane! Always patient and smiling when the press wants her! Well done and keep the good spirit!
Caroline, a definate looker in the Sharapova mold !
Very brilliant girl! confident in her game, not optimistic, down to the earth and simple. This is Carol
Held og lykke fremtiden. Jimmy
well done caroline, cant wait to see you at the top. i hate azarenkas tupid screams, there worse than sharapova!!!!!
also one to watch this year at wimbledon, good win for dimitri but doesnt surprise me so much he has always played well on grass who knows maybe he can go far this year at wimbledon.
Congrats to Dmitry!!! Quite unexpected.
she is one to watch for the top spots in the womens game. has a bit of clijsters abt her.
I am so tired of watching her play on tv. This week, every day I saw her on tv.
On Eurosport, it's always Wozniacki's match that is televised,
even if there are other or higher ranked players on court.
But Congrats to Caroline for her title!
Does anybody know if she is gonna jump over Azarenka in the rankings? I hope not :]
But the voice has to go!
The most beautifui,golden princess of the world,woman tennis!Go Caroline!
I wanted Razzano to win but hey Caroline played well so congrats to her.Will she do well at wimbledon we will have to wait and see.
Hope Vika Venus Kuzzie Elena Amelie JJ Ana Maria do well good luck to all of them.
maturing very fast indeed before our very eyes..........very good and confident speaker too, Bravo.
congrats caroline!
Well done caroline.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account