Alberta Brianti, 31, wins first WTA title in Morocco
In the battle of two players without WTA titles in their CVs, the more experienced one triumphed and 31-year-old Alberta Brianti defeated 19-year-old Simona Halep 6-4 6-3 in the final of the the Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Fes, Morocco.
Interestingly, clay is not Brianti's surface of choice: "It's not my favorite surface, but better late than never! I always try to improve my tennis and the last few years I've really been playing the best tennis of my career."
The unseeded Italian defeated Melanie Oudin 7-5 5-7 6-0 in the quarterfinals before having a walkover to reach the final as former world No.1 Dinara Safina withdrew with gastrointestinal illness.
The seventh-seeded Halep is now 0-2 in WTA finals – last year she lost at the same tournament to Iveta Benesova. Brianti was also playing her second final, her previous one was in 2009 in Guangzhou. (photo: Richard Fisher)
Simona has a bit of bad luck there, 2 finals and no titles to show, but I hold out many hopes, she is 19 and has a great career in front of her.
Brianti did a good job in spite of not being too comfortable on clay surface. Congratulations to her for winning the the title! http://www.tennisround.com
Never say never! Brianti is what I call a golden oldie
.
http://tennisnotebook.blogspot.com/
Wow! The first title with 31? The first Grand-Slam-Title doesn't seem to be far away
Congratz to Brianti!
Seems like Italians love to win on their old age
Anyone remember Tatiana Golovin, whatever happened to her. I know she had a fairly severe injury.
P!nky, I remember her very well, her injuries have taken a huge toll. She's over I believe.