Ana Konjuh, 17, has won her first WTA title beating Monica Niculescu in the final of the Nottingham open.
The final was delayed due to numerous weather disruptions last week, so the players took to the court this Monday morning in the UK.
The teenage Croatian was forced to come from behind after dropping her first set of the tournament in lopsided fashion. The experienced Niculescu raced to a 5-0 lead before closing out the set 6-1.
Courtesy of @AnaKonjuh
In this situation you would expect the Romanian to run away with it, but Konjuh had other ideas. The 17-year-old broke early in the second set, and soon found herself serving to level the match at 5-3.
But a combination of nerves and the experience of her opponent meant that Niculescu soon broke back. However, Konjuh soon rallied and after failing to serve it out, the Croatian finally sealed the set with a break, 6-4.
The momentum was now with the youngster, and after saving a break point in the opening game of the third set Konjuh began to run away with it.
A break for 2-0 was quickly followed by another to seal the victory for the 17 year old, who claimed her first WTA title in the process.
Despite it being an International event, this was a big coming out party for Konjuh who has announced herself as one of the brightest prospects on tour. To beat a player as crafty and unique as Niculescu at such a young age shows her talents.
Konjuh also beat Alison Riske, and Casey Dellacqua en route to the title which are good victories in themselves. She is certainly one to watch in the upcoming weeks, and indeed for years to come.
For Niculescu she has had a good tournament that saw her beat top seed Agnieszka Radwanska. The Romanian will be one to watch at Wimbledon as her unorthadox game can cause a huge variety of problems.
Konjuh will now move to her highest ever ranking #55 after enjoying junior success, winning the Australian Open and US Open junior titles.
Veteran Radek Stepanek won at home on clay in the Czech Republic in straight sets over his young countryman Jiri Vesely. Stepanek beat Teymuraz Gabashvili in the semis while Vesely beat Peter Gojowczyk, both in 3 sets. Vesely also beat Lukas Rosol and Gabashvili beat the top seed Florian Mayer as well in notable upsets.
Arad Challenger (June 3-June 9, 2013)
In Romania on clay, another home player and veteran, Adrian Ungur, took the title over another home finalist, Marius Copil. Ungur beat Pere Riba in the semis while Copil beat Jonathan Eysseric.
Caltanissetta Challenger (June 3-June 9, 2013)
In Italy on clay, Serbian Dusan Lajovic raced to the title in upsetting Robin Haase in the final and improving to a career high ranking of 114 at the age of 23. Lajovic beat Somdev Devvarman in the semis while Haase beat Potito Starace. Pablo Carreno-Busta beat the top seed Martin Klizan in the opening round, but then lost in round 2 to Dominik Meffert in an upset.
Furth Challenger (June 3-June 9, 2013)
In Germany on clay, Joao Sousa of Portugal rode the momentum of quality play at Roland Garros to a victory over Wayne Odesnik in the final. Sousa is back near the top 100 and beat Andreas Haider-Maurer in the semis while Odesnik beat Cedrik Marcel-Stebe.
Nottingham Challenger (June 3-June 9, 2013)
Matt Ebden
In England on grass, in a tournament stacked with talent, Aussie Matt Ebden finally returned to the winners circle after a flat half year. Ebden beat grass courter Benjamin Becker in the final after beating Bobby Reynolds in the semis, and Becker beat eventual Wimbledon round of 16 participant Kenny De Schepper in the semis.
Blois Challenger (June 10-June 16, 2013)
In France on clay, German and eventual Wimbledon qualifier Julian Reister took out Dusan Lajovic in 3 sets. Reister continued his fine month of play. Reister beat Paul Capdeville and Lajovic beat Marc Gicquel in the semis.
Kosice Challenger (June 10-June 16, 2013)
In Slovakia on clay, an otherwise struggling Mikhail Kukushkin finally found his form and beat Damir Dzumhur in the final to push himself back in the top 200. Kuku beat Andre Ghem in the semis while Dzumhur beat Radu Albot. Dzumhur also knocked off Joao Sousa in an earlier round while Ghem did the same against 2 seed Adrian Ungur. Henri Laaksonen upset top seed Jan Hajek in the opening round.
Nottingham-2 Challenger (June 10-June 16, 2013)
Steve Johnson won his 2nd career challenger, this time on grass in the 2nd Nottingham event over Ruben Bemelmans. In the semis, Johnson beat Somdev Devvarman while Bemelmans beat Rik De Voest.
Prague Challenger (June 10-June 16, 2013)
In Prague on clay, Ukrainian Oleksandr Nedovyesov took the title over Spaniard Javier Marti after beating Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in the semis. Marti beat Ivo Minar.
Milan Challenger (June 17-June 23, 2013)
The veteran Filippo Volandri beat Andrej Martin on Clay in Milan to give himself double-digit career challenger titles. Volandri, now back in the top 100 at 31, beat Andrea Arnaboldi in the semis while Martin beat Norbert Gombos. Most of the seeds were knocked out early, including 2 seed Diego Sebastian Schwartzman, who fell to 22 year old wild card Riccardo Sinicropi.
Tanger Challenger (June 17-June 23, 2013)
Pablo Carreno-Busta beat a rejuvenated Mikhail Kukushkin and bumped himself up to a career high ranking of 126 after taking the title in Morocco on clay. PCB beat qualifier Lorenzo Giustino in the semis while Kukushkin beat Adrian Sikora. The Spaniard continues to edge closer to full-time ATP play and very well could be the next Spanish name to make a mark at the main tour level.
Marburg Challenger (June 24-June 30, 2013)
Andrey Golubev had by far his best showing of the year and won his first title at any level since 2010 in Marburg, Germany on clay. He beat Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in the final in straight sets and Jesse Huta Galung in the semis just the same. Schwartzman beat fellow Argentine Maximo Gonzalez in the semis.
