Sport | Tennis
Diatchenko queen of Al Habtoor
Russian outsider Vitalia Diatchenko knocked off favourite and third seed Urszula Radwanska to win the singles crown at the 10th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge here on Saturday.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:40 December 20, 2008
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
- Diatchencko (right) with runner up Radwanska and Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of Al Habtoor Group, at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa.
Dubai: Russian outsider Vitalia Diatchenko knocked off favourite and third seed Urszula Radwanska to win the singles crown at the 10th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge here on Saturday.
Diatchenko, who had got past Slovakia's Kristina Kucova in three sets on Thursday, was engaged in yet another marathon three–set encounter winning 7–5, 2–6, 7–5 against the Pole before a capacity crowd at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa.
Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, presented the winner and runner–up with the trophy and cheque in the presence of Rahim Abu Omar, Chief Executive Officer of Habtoor Hospitality and tournament director Fareed Al Jayyusi.
Technically, either of the two could have won in a final of fluctuating fortunes as there was no occasion when either of them was in total control.
With Radwanska matching her younger and stronger opponent point for point, the first set could have gone either way too. But it was the enterprising Diatchenko who broke her opponent for the third time to take the set 7–5 after over an hour on court.
But the Russian was in early trouble after being broken in the very first game in the second as Radwanska steamed ahead to take the set 6–2.
"I was finding it difficult to concentrate especially after winning the first set," admitted the 18–year–old Russian from Moscow.
That lapse in concentration nearly cost her dear as Radwanska broke and held for a 2–0 lead. But Diatchenko broke back for 2–2 and then faltered again as her Polish challenger looked in control at 4–2.
However, not one to give in easily, Diatchenko broke again in the eighth game and then again in the tenth to win set and match 7–5.
"This is like an early New Year's gift for me," Diatchenko said. "I am very happy as I can go back home and celebrate with my parents and younger brother," she added.
Radwanska was effusive in her praise for the winner. "She hits fast and hard and it is difficult to play her. I am disappointed with myself, not because I lost, but more because I lost a final that I could have won," added Radwanska.
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