Rome : Unfancied Maria Martinez-Sanchez produced a stunning display of old school tennis, full of spin and guile, to upset seventh seed Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 to win the WTA Rome Open yesterday.
The victory was the biggest of the Spaniard's career and only her third tournament title as she wowed the packed stands at the Foro Italico.
Earlier Jankovic beat Serena Williams in the semi-finals, with the american blaming ‘an apple in her throat' for her defeat.
Jankovic saved a match point before pulling off a thrilling 4-6 6-3 7-6 win over the world number one to set up a showdown with Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, a 6-4 6-2 winner over former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.
Williams had been the favourite to win the Rome title but came unstuck on the red clay against a tenacious Serb who refused to surrender to the world number one.
"I wasn't unlucky. It was all on me. I think I had an apple in my throat," said Williams, who is playing her first tournament since winning January's Australian Open, twice failed to serve out for the match.
Results
Italian Open women's final (prefix denotes seeding); Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain) beat 7-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 7-6(5) 7-5.
Semi-finals: Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain) beat Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 6-4 6-2; 7-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat 1-Serena Williams (U.S.) 4-6 6-3 7-6(5)
