The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Roberta Vinci conquers Dokic in Rosmalen

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Roberta Vinci conquers Dokic in Rosmalen

Rosmalen, Netherlands: Italian seventh seed Roberta Vinci saw off Australian Jelena Dokic 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-5 to win the WTA tournament at Rosmalen on Saturday, adding the crown to an earlier success this season in Barcelona.

Dokic went down fighting in staving off three match points, but finally conceded after 2hr 5min on court as Vinci landed her fifth career title.

Former Wimbledon semifinalist Dokic said the weather conditions had made life difficult, but saluted her opponent.

“The conditions were difficult, the wind, the cold, it wasn't easy. But that takes nothing away from Roberta, who was a deserved winner. She didn't crack on the big points.”

Dokic, who landed her first title in nine years at Kuala Lumpur earlier this season, insisted that her run in the Netherlands would stand her in good stead for Wimbledon, where in 1999, she caused a sensation by dumping out former World No. 1 Martina Hingis in the opening round.

Vinci insisted meanwhile that “I am ready for Wimbledon, even if I am a little tired. I will go to London without any pressure — though the standard will be much higher than at Rosmalen.”

Vinci, 28, will take on Russian Vera Dushevina in the opening round, while Dokic will meet French Open runner-up and last year's Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone.

Bartoli in final

At, Eastbourne, Marion Bartoli of France reached the second grass-court final of her career as she thrashed Australian Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-1.

Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova advanced when Slovak opponent Daniela Hantuchova retired with an abdominal injury trailing 7-6 (11), 4-2.

Kvitova managed seven aces in her win in just over 90 minutes against Hantuchova, who came into the event in good form as she reached the final in Birmingham last Monday. The Slovak had also knocked out Venus Williams in the quarterfinals.

Bartoli's only other grass court final was the 2007 Wimbledon final, losing to Serena Williams.

Bartoli stands a career-high ninth and was playing in her fifth consecutive Eastbourne semi and sixth final-four appearance of the season.

The Frenchwoman will play her third final of 2011 after losing both at Indian Wells to world number one Caroline Wozniacki and at Strasbourg on clay to German Andrea Petkovic. 2010 Roland Garros finalist Stosur had won two of their previous three meetings.

Stosur, who knocked out top seed and 2010 Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva. felt the poor weather conditions of wind and threatening rain destroyed her concentration.

The results: At Eastbourne (Easbourne grasscourt event): Men: Semifinals: Janko Tipsarevic bt Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4; Andreas Seppi bt Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Women: Semifinals: Petra Kvitova bt Daniela Hantuchova 7-6 (11), 4-2 (retired); Marion Bartoli bt Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-1.

At Rosmalen: Women: Final: Roberta Vinci bt Jelena Dokic 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-5 . — AFP

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