Eastbourne: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki got the perfect boost for Wimbledon as she beat Belarussian upstart Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 7-6(7-5) to claim the Eastbourne tennis tournament title here Saturday.
The Dane found herself behind in both sets and had to save a set point in the opener at a sunny Devonshire Park but used all experience to claim her 29th career title.
Wozniacki, who will be seeded second at Wimbledon, knew she was in for a tough challenge as she took five minutes to hold her opening service game against the 20-year-old. Sabalenka did break to love in the third game only for Wozniacki to hit back immediately.
However, Wozniacki once struggled to contain Sabalenka who was attacking all the time and even found herself 3-5 behind at one stage, but used her experience to reel off in the next four games. Salabalenka continued to blaze away with some ferocious ground strokes and served for the second set at 5-4 only to be pegged back once again.
Even in the tiebreak Sabalenka made all the running, moving 5-2 ahead, but Wozniacki kept her cool in the soaring temperatures to lift the trophy.
In the men’s final German Mischa Zverev claimed his first ATP Tour title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Slovakian Lukas Lacko.
Damir upsets Adrian
Antalya: World No.30 Damir Dzumhur outclassed top seed Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 to win his third ATP World Tour title at the Antalya Open final Saturday. Dzumhur made the most of his powerful groundstrokes to clinch the first set before Mannarino came back strongly in the second to draw level. However, Dzumhur kept his calm and composure to take the third set and race away to the title. Dzumhur opens his Wimbledon campaign against German Maximilian Marterer Monday, while 22nd-seed Mannarino, takes on Christian Garin in his opening match.
