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October 27, 2009

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Youzhny, Schiavone win in Moscow

RUSSIA'S Mikhail Youzhny rallied to beat Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Kremlin Cup, while Italian Francesca Schiavone won her second career title, beating Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 6-0 for the women's crown.

Youzhny did not drop a set on his way to a fifth career title and extended Russia's title streak in the home event to six consecutive years since American Taylor Dent won here in 2003.

"The first set was a tough one for both of us," Youzhny said. "But in the second set he appeared to be really tired after a tough doubles match he had played late on Saturday."

Tipsarevic, who had not lost a set on the way to his first ATP Tour final, said: "I'm obviously disappointed because I've lost. But I think, I didn't lose today - Misha (Mikhail) beat me. He was a better player. Though the third set was 6-4, I was really struggling to win my service games, while he was winning his very easy."

The sixth-seeded Serb prevailed on the first-set tiebreaker, but the 30th-ranked Youzhny charged back, winning eight consecutive games to level at one set apiece and lead 2-0 in the decisive set. Tipsarevic saved four match points in the ninth game before Youzhny served for the match and sealed the win with a forehand crosscourt shot.

It was Youzhny's first final in 11 appearances at the event. He is now 5-11 in ATP finals.

Schiavone is 2-10 in WTA Tour finals. She also won the 2007 Gastein Ladies.

The eighth-seeded Italian, the 2005 runner-up, broke decisively in the eighth game of the first set after Govortsova had saved five break points in the sixth game.

Schiavone said that a break on the ninth deuce in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead was the key moment of the match.

"The game was very long but I did very good," Schiavone said. "Everything changed at that moment. When I found the way, it was much easier, and she (Govortsova) didn't know how to finish points, I think."

Govortsova broke back immediately, but Schiavone then won eight games in the row.

"It's difficult to play with Francesca on this (hard-court) surface," Govortsova said. "She practically made no mistakes. She made me run a lot in the first set and it had an impact on me later in the match."

The 24th-ranked Schiavone was playing in her second final in as many weeks, having lost to Samantha Stosur of Australia at Osaka, Japan.

The 67th-ranked Govortsova was playing in her second career final.

In Sweden, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-1, 7-5 Sunday to win the Stockholm Open.

Baghdatis' victory over his friend and training partner at Royal Tennis Hall gave him his third career singles title.

In Luxembourg, unseeded Timea Bacsinszky won her first WTA title, beating sixth-seeded Sabine Lisicki 6-2, 7-5 in the final of the Luxembourg Open. Victory earned Bacsinszky US$37,000.





 

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