Dubai: Seventh seed Marta Sirotkina blanked Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-0, 6-0 to win the inaugural Al Habtoor Future Challenge that concluded at Al Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa on Saturday.
Playing her very best tennis, Sirotkina had her task made easier as her Romanian opponent just could not get her game going due to a nagging back strain.
Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of sponsors Al Habtoor Group was the chief guest and presented the trophies to the winners after the final.
Down 0-3, the Romanian called for the doctor with not much relief to the aching back. She was then down 0-5, but she persisted playing so as to keep the challenge going.
"Possibly she [Buzarnescu] erred in her judgment that she would not be able to play in next week's competition [Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge]," said tournament official and WTA supervisor Hani Al Khafief.
"But according to the rules, she [Buzarnescu] can play in the qualifiers," he added.
Emirates NBD, meanwhile, announced that it is serving as the official partner for Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2010.
Official partner
This is the second consecutive year that Emirates NBD's Private Banking arm will be sponsoring the event.
The 13th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge will be held from December 13 to 18, while the qualifying rounds are currently under way.
