Sunday, March 6, 2011

Dokic wins Malaysian Open

Today in Kuala Lumpur, Jelena Dokic won her first WTA Tour title since 2002. Dokic defeated 5th seed Lucie Safarova 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, after Safarova served for the match in the second set. Dokic, thoughout the tournament, repeatedly came from behind to win, and mastered a series of tiebreaks. She won today's tiebreak 11-9, saving two match points along the way. She also served thirteen aces.

Before she left the tour, Dokic--who was once ranked number 4 in the world--won five titles, including championships in Rome, Tokyo and Moscow. In 2009, she made a dramatic and emotional run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, in which she lost to eventual runner-up Dinara Safina.

Safina, with partner Galina Voskoboeva, won the Malaysian Open doubles championship. Safina and Voskoboeva defeated Noppawan Lertcheewakarn and Jessica Moore 7-5, 2-6, 10-5. Safina has fallen on hard times since she injured her back, so a win for her in doubles--though not as dramatic as Dokic's victory--is nevertheless a small change in fortune. Today's victory is the Russian's first championship doubles win in three years.

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