Davis wins in Auckland to earn first WTA title
Reuters
January 7, 2017 14:48 MYT
January 7, 2017 14:48 MYT
Lauren Davis of the United States serves to Elina Svitolina of Ukraine on day three of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. - AP photo
American Lauren Davis won her first WTA title by defeating Croatian teenager Ana Konjuh 6-3 6-1 in the Auckland Classic final on Saturday.
The early exits of Serena and Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki meant the tournament had lost much of its fizz and the final was left to two players ranked 47th and 61st in the world.
The 23-year-old Davis, who lost two finals in 2016, dominated her erratic 19-year-old opponent from the outset with her consistency and powerful serve.
"The feeling is indescribable, it's definitely an incredible feeling to win my first WTA title at my favourite tournament," the Florida-based Davis said in an interview.
"I've been waiting for this moment for quite a few years.
"It's definitely surreal. I had two finals last year, and it was definitely discouraging and frustrating. But I guess third time's the charm!"
Konjuh said the loss was tough to swallow but was happy to have reached a final so early in 2017.
"Of course I'm disappointed to lose in a final, but it's not a bad way to start the season," she said.
Konjuh was plagued by errors and struggled with her serve throughout the match. She was broken twice in the first set and three times in the second.