NEW YORK, April 10: Russia's Nadia Petrova captured her second WTA event of the year after beating third seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the $600,000 Amelia Island Tournament on Sunday.

It was the third tournament title in six months for the 23-year-old top seed, who beat Schiavone for the first time in five career matches.

“Hopefully, I'll get more and more titles this year,” Petrova told journalists.

“I really wasn't thinking I would get far this week.”

Petrova broke her opponent in the first game of each set, and benefited from Schiavone committing five double faults in the match.

Schiavone, 25, is now 0-7 in finals during her nine-year career, as she once again came up just short of winning a title.

The Russian fired four aces and her booming serve kept the Italian off balance in most rallies.

She held serve throughout the first set, but made two unforced errors after leading 2-0 in the second set to allow Schiavone to get back into the match.

But the Russian's powerful serve took over again, and two-double faults by Schiavone allowed Petrova to retake the lead 4-3 in the second set, setting the stage for the win.

“One day I will do it. I promise to you,” said world number 13 Schiavone.

“Better late than never, so maybe the next one.”—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...