Zheng takes Auckland crown, Murray wins
Source: Agencies |
January 9, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Zheng Jie won the rain-delayed Auckland Classic in New Zealand yesterday after fourth seed Flavia Pennetta retired hurt with a back injury when trailing 2-6, 6-3, 2-0.
World No. 20 Pennetta had a medical time-out at the change of ends when leading 5-2 in the first set and called for the physiotherapist several more times in the match to work on her lower back before eventually throwing in the towel. The Italian's withdrawal gifted 28-year-old Zheng her fourth WTA title and her first since 2006, while providing a welcome boost ahead of next week's Australian Open.
"I am so excited and so happy to win this title because this is the first time I've won my first tournament of the year," Zheng said. "I want to say sorry for Flavia and the problems with her back. I hope she is better for next week."
Persistent showers washed out the final on Saturday and continued yesterday, forcing the match to be moved indoors to a smaller stadium where Pennetta, Italy's first top-10 player, quickly seized the initiative.
The 29-year-old broke Zheng twice to seal the first set and raced to a 2-0 lead before her diminutive opponent roared back by peeling off five consecutive games. Zheng, a former semifinalist at Wimbledon and Melbourne Park, held a nervy service game to clinch the second set and broke Pennetta early in the third before the Italian decided enough was enough.
Sichuan native Zheng was once China's highest-ranked player ahead of French Open champion Li Na but her ranking has dipped to 48th after a disappointing 2011. She has shown strong form in the leadup to the year's first grand slam, however, upsetting former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Auckland semifinal.
In Brisbane, a ruthless Andy Murray powered his way to a 6-1, 6-3 win over injury-hampered Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Brisbane International and take a timely shot of confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
Murray won an enthralling quarterfinal in four sets over the Ukrainian at Melbourne Park last year, but the re-match at Pat Rafter Arena fell flat with a grimacing Dolgopolov dragging an injured right leg around the court.
The Scotsman showed him little sympathy, however, running his pony-tailed opponent ragged with sweetly struck shots into the corners to wrap up the match in 66 minutes.
"Firstly I'd like to say sorry to Alex, I know he had a problem with his leg he hurt yesterday and I think he put on a great effort especially towards the end of the second set," Murray said as he cradled the Roy Emerson trophy.
"It's my first week with my new team and it was good, I really enjoyed it and hopefully it'll bring more success in future ... I look forward to coming back next year."
Murray's 22nd ATP title was also his first Down Under and overseen by his new coach, eight-time grand slam champion Ivan Lendl, who applauded from the stands.
World No. 20 Pennetta had a medical time-out at the change of ends when leading 5-2 in the first set and called for the physiotherapist several more times in the match to work on her lower back before eventually throwing in the towel. The Italian's withdrawal gifted 28-year-old Zheng her fourth WTA title and her first since 2006, while providing a welcome boost ahead of next week's Australian Open.
"I am so excited and so happy to win this title because this is the first time I've won my first tournament of the year," Zheng said. "I want to say sorry for Flavia and the problems with her back. I hope she is better for next week."
Persistent showers washed out the final on Saturday and continued yesterday, forcing the match to be moved indoors to a smaller stadium where Pennetta, Italy's first top-10 player, quickly seized the initiative.
The 29-year-old broke Zheng twice to seal the first set and raced to a 2-0 lead before her diminutive opponent roared back by peeling off five consecutive games. Zheng, a former semifinalist at Wimbledon and Melbourne Park, held a nervy service game to clinch the second set and broke Pennetta early in the third before the Italian decided enough was enough.
Sichuan native Zheng was once China's highest-ranked player ahead of French Open champion Li Na but her ranking has dipped to 48th after a disappointing 2011. She has shown strong form in the leadup to the year's first grand slam, however, upsetting former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Auckland semifinal.
In Brisbane, a ruthless Andy Murray powered his way to a 6-1, 6-3 win over injury-hampered Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Brisbane International and take a timely shot of confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
Murray won an enthralling quarterfinal in four sets over the Ukrainian at Melbourne Park last year, but the re-match at Pat Rafter Arena fell flat with a grimacing Dolgopolov dragging an injured right leg around the court.
The Scotsman showed him little sympathy, however, running his pony-tailed opponent ragged with sweetly struck shots into the corners to wrap up the match in 66 minutes.
"Firstly I'd like to say sorry to Alex, I know he had a problem with his leg he hurt yesterday and I think he put on a great effort especially towards the end of the second set," Murray said as he cradled the Roy Emerson trophy.
"It's my first week with my new team and it was good, I really enjoyed it and hopefully it'll bring more success in future ... I look forward to coming back next year."
Murray's 22nd ATP title was also his first Down Under and overseen by his new coach, eight-time grand slam champion Ivan Lendl, who applauded from the stands.
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