‘It’s a special place in my heart’: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova topples Angelique Kerber for fourth Monterrey crown

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia celebrates after winning against Angelique Kerber of Germany during their Monterrey Tennis Open final match in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, 09 April 2017. Miguel SShow more

MEXICO CITY // Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova shocked world No 1 Angelique Kerber 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 on Sunday to win the WTA title at Monterrey, Mexico, for a fourth time.

“I’m really overwhelmed and don’t think I realised that I just won my fourth Monterrey trophy,” Pavlyuchenkova said. “Some people just have four trophies in total, and I have four here! It’s very special and it’s a special place in my heart. It’s where I won my first title, and since won three more!”

Pavlyuchenkova seized the advantage when she gained the only break of the tightly contested opening set on her first set point.

“Playing the final against the No 1 player in the world is already very special, because everyone wants to compete against the No 1,” she said. “You don’t get so many chances to do it, so it was one opportunity for me today. Beating her feels amazing.”

Kerber, who regained the world No 1 ranking in March with American Serena Williams sidelined by injury, was playing in her first final of 2017.

She dug in to win a tense third game of the second set, breaking for 4-2 and going on to level the match.

Pavlyuchenkova admitted she was feeling the strain in the second set, but she found an extra reserve of energy to tap as she raced to a 5-0 led in the third and served out for her ninth career title in just under two hours.

It was the second time Pavlyuchenkova has beaten Kerber in a Monterrey final. She downed the German in 2013 when she added a third crown to those she won in 2010 and 2011.

* Agence France-Presse

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