Tennis Atlantic

Dutch Delight for Clinical Camila in ‘S-Hertogenbosch
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

Camila Giorgi won her maiden WTA title on Sunday, putting in a clinical display to defeat Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-3 in ‘S-Hertogenbosch.

Giorgi, 24, put in a great serving display, winning all 11 service games without facing a single break point. Not being able to make any inroads on her opponents serve meant extra pressure was applied on Bencic to hold her own.

The Swiss eventually cracked at the end of the first set, with Giorgi converting her first break point to take the set 7-5.

The second set started similar to the first, with both players holding serve without facing any break points. But when the chance was offered up, Giorgi took it just like the first set to go 5-3 up.

The Italian made no mistake in serving out the match to wrap up a clinical performance, and in the process claim her first WTA title.

It’s been a great week for me and I’m so happy to bring this trophy home,” Giorgi said.

“It was my first time here and it went so well. Every match was great for me this week, and I felt like I was playing more and more consistently every match. And the crowd and the weather were great!

“Next I’m going to Eastbourne and hopefully I can get even more preparation in for Wimbledon.”

It was only a few days prior to the final when Giorgi was starring in the eyes of defeat. In the quarter finals, the Italian saved three match points in a long third set tiebreaker against Yaroslava Shvedova. This makes her he fourth player this year to win a title having saved match points earlier in the tournament. The others being: Andrea Petkovic, Sara Errani and Daniela Hantuchova.

For Belinda Bencic, the wait for her first WTA title still goes on. The former Junior Wimbledon champion is still only 18 and will have plenty of opportunities in the future.

The Swiss was gracious in defeat.

“Camila played very well today – she was very tough in the important moments,” the Swiss said. “I played well, but it wasn’t good enough. She deserved to win. But I’m still very happy with my week.

“Now I’m going to Birmingham and looking forward to playing more matches on grass.”

The doubles title went to Asia Muhammad and Laura Siegemund who upset third seeds Jelena Jankovic and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 7-5 in Saturday’s final.