Sunday, October 01, 2006
Alona Bondarenko takes Luxemblourg title
What a week it was for Alona Bondarenko in Luxembourg. One of the talented players from Eastern Europe, Alona has shown signs of true talent this year but missed many opportunities in some close matches.
But this week, she was able to enjoy the benefits of a lot of upsets. Despite a lot of top players playing the event, Alona was able to advance through by playing opponents who perhaps were not expected to go so far. After taking out Mary Pierce (who has been through lots of ups and downs), she defeated Katerina Srebotnik, Nathalie Dechy and Kveta Peschke, 3 pretty solid veteran players. And in today's final, she was able to post an impressive win against Francesca Schiavone, #5 seed from Italy. "I didn't think about how it was a final, and that I could win or lose; I just played, and concentrated on every point. I concentrated a lot on my serve today, my first serve mainly. Today, I just concentrated on my game and nothing else."
It is Alona's first ever WTA singles title, her second appearance in a final (after last year's final in the Indian Open). She will now enter the top 40 for the first time of her career! "I'm very happy. I hope it's not my last title! If I keep playing like I did here, it'll help open doors for me. I'm playing well."
