Makarova claims Eastbourne title

Eurosport - Sat, 19 Jun 11:41:00 2010

Ekaterina Makarova became the first qualifier to triumph at Eastbourne with a 7-6(5) 6-4 victory over an injured Victoria Azarenka to claim her first WTA title.

- 0

Russian Makarova, ranked 100 in the world on arrival on the south coast, failed to drop a set en-route to the final and continued that fine form against Azarenka, who struggled with a knee injury from the off.

Azarenka enjoyed a fine 2009, claiming three tour titles alongside quarter-final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon to climb to a career best ranking of six.

But, despite a last eight showing at the Australian Open in January, Azarenka has failed to replicate those heights in 2010, slipping to 15 in the world rankings.

And it was Makarova, who underlined her credentials with a semi-final victory over French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur, who set the pace in the opening exchanges.

Azarenka was in obvious discomfort as early as the second game and the pain was etched across the Belarusian's face as she struggled to serve and move around the court with her customary fluidity.

Makarova fought back from 3-0 down in her semi-final win but this time found the same score line reversed in her favour after breaking Azarenka's serve at the first attempt

That sparked a battling Azarenka, fighting back the tears, into action and, at 3-5 down, the Russian pounced on her opponents nerves to win three games on the bounce.

However, after holding serve, Makarova regained her composure and opened up a 5-1 lead in the tie-break, sending down a succession of powerful serves before earning three set points.

  • WTA Eastbourne: Final

Azarenka fought back to within one point but a fierce forehand to the baseline proved too much and Makarova closed out the opening set in 66 minutes.

In truth, Azarenka's tennis was badly hampered by her injury in the first set and the second was no better for the 20-year-old, who was clearly frustrated at not being able to compete.

But that is not to discredit Makarova, who played superbly throughout the tournament and seized the initiative in the second set, using the width of the court to take advantage of the situation and secure a break for a 3-2 lead.

Azarenka, refusing to retire, resigned herself to playing with power from the baseline and raced into a 40-0 lead in the following game and should have broken back but for the umpire missing Makarova playing a volley from Azarenka's side of the net.

And that mistake proved costly as Makarova fought back to consolidate the break.

Azarenka refused to give in, however, and earned a further two break points at the next opportunity - but again failed to take advantage, Makarova sealing the game with a fine backhand cross-court winner.

And, after Azarenka held her nerve to force her opponent to serve for the match, Makarova sealed the victory with a fierce volley at the net to pocket a cheque for $98,500 (£66,437).

George Scott / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. ivan64ivan

    so what you're saying is that she was­ playing a warm up match in the semis of a tournament.­ This form of reasoning has been used many times here,­ as if to suggest that a player is saving themselves for­ the big one - i disagree completely with this view. I­ doubt very much that a player will work their way into­ a semi-final and play half-heartedly because the big­ one is coming - - its bollocks to be put mildly.. Yours­ is much worse what you're saying is she went into­ the semis to lose so as to avoid playing another­ player...i.e she had no intention of going into the­ final...lol that's @#$%..

    From Dosh, on Mon 21 Jun 21:01

  2. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW SUPERSTAR NOW RANKED 99
    HAS­ A MAGNIFICENT LEFT HAND SERVE - Elena Dementieva ­ would love to have similar

    With coach Hana Manlikova ­ ,, Ekaterina MAKAROVA SHOULD CLIMB THE­ RANKINGS

    Great pity v.Williams awaits her in­ Wimbledon draw --- but she also plays doubles see­ 2009 progress

    From Ivan Ivan, on Sun 20 Jun 15:26

  3. so dosh 23
    you obviously did not bother to watch semi­ final
    Stosur made very little effort to win &­ chased no wide shots
    she did not want to play hard­ final v Azarenka just before Wimbledon starts
    as she­ feels she has a chance to progress well in SW19
    next­ time U comment at least watch the game ..!

    From Ivan Ivan, on Sun 20 Jun 15:03

  4. Henin will win this G/S

    From Lizzette, on Sun 20 Jun 9:43

  5. Con Avraam

    You mean Katya? lol! I once told you­ that you will be booed of the stage if you take your so­ called humor under the spotlight. My "lol" is­ not at comment but at you.

    From Smoke, on Sun 20 Jun 8:19

  6. Why is Con discussing his personal life on here. This­ is a tennis forum, for God's sake.

    From Non, on Sun 20 Jun 6:39

  7. @#$%, @#$%, @#$%. it was so painful watching Victoria.­ I wanted to get on court and just pull her off. that­ freaking manager of hers, all wrapped up like he­ doesn't want to know. why did'n't she stop­ playing yesterday and let Bartoli go through?­ yikes.

    girls, your health should be the most­ important, forget about winning. at 20 and you have­ problems with your knees. I feel for you Victoria. I­ hope you get well soon.

    Makarova had a great week.­ well done to you

    From yeah, on Sun 20 Jun 4:30

  8. that may be so Nicholas but in the final analysis, is­ the content not the same?

    From sanchez.santos, on Sun 20 Jun 4:10

  9. AZARENKA,S coach should have called her off from the­ 1st sign of injury and not allow her to play out the­ game.
    This is exactly what I keep on talking about­
    Players R not looking at the long term
    They R just­ seing the moment in front of them

    From courtney, on Sun 20 Jun 3:49

  10. Mistake in the article, says Azarenka should have­ broken when Makarova played a volley from theother side­ of the net, but what Makarova did was perfectly legal­ as the ball already bounced, more bad journalism from­ Eurosport, learn the rules of tennis please.

    From FergusO, on Sun 20 Jun 2:31

  11. Molodec Katya, Rodina ne zabudet!

    From Victor, on Sun 20 Jun 2:20

  12. thanks for your kind understanding comment ­ smoke
    Ekaterina Makarova is not exactly a­ "Qualifier" as Not long ago she was ranked No­ 38
    She represented Russia in Fed cup semi final v USA­ in Alabama USA
    where she was winning her singles until­ the spectators got on her back to hurl never ceasing ­ abuse
    which the officials made no attempt to control ­ so sadly she lost a close match/.
    Here at Eastbourne­ Azarenka was not exactly "Wacked" as­ first set 7-6 was quite even
    and second set was­ 4-4 till a close game settled the match
    best wishes­ to both players for a little kind good luck at­ Wimbledon

    From Sue, on Sun 20 Jun 2:06

  13. luckily Azarenka has easy couple of rounds to start­ Wimbledon so should progress OK

    From Jestyn Cole, on Sun 20 Jun 0:26
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account