Pierce Wins First Grass Court Title
June 19, 2004
Vincent Basler
Pierce Wins First Grass Court Title
's-HERTOGENBOSCH, Netherlands - Mary Pierce collected the first grass court
singles title of her career Saturday, defeating Klara Koukalova 76(6) 62 in
the Ordina Open final.
Have won a rain-interrupted semifinal over Lina Krasnoroutskaya 62 62 earlier
on Saturday (not completed Friday due to bad weather), Pierce burst out of
the blocks in the final against the unseeded Czech, winning the first five
games.
But Koukalova took the next five games and eventually sent the first set into
a tie-break, which she led 5-1, only to see Pierce win seven of the next eight
points. Pierce won her first set point when Koukalova double-faulted.
The effort appeared to drain Koukalova as Pierce surged her 16th Tour title
overall after one hour, 28 minutes, leaving Koukalova with a 0-4 career
win-loss record in Tour singles finals.
"I've been very focused and concentrated this week, even with the rain," said
Pierce, who had not taken a singles title since winning Roland Garros four
years ago. "It's been a great opportunity for me since the No.1 (Petrova)
and No.2 (Schnyder) seeds went out early.
"I'm very proud of myself. It's been awhile since I won a title so it feels
really great to win another tournament."
Pierce was overjoyed at winning her first grass court title, having previously
appeared in only one semifinal on the surface in her distinguished career.
"I enjoy the grass more and more, as I used to not like it very much,"
observed Pierce. "But I feel more comfortalbe on it and it fits my game,
especially since I know what to do now and how to play on it."
Despite the loss, Koukalova was pleased with her efforts this week, having
never played a Tour main draw event on grass before this week.
"It was a great tournament but of course I'm a little bit sad right now,"
said Koukalova. "I had points to win the first set, but she started playing
better and was hard to beat."
The doubles title went to Australian Lisa McShea and Venezuela's Milagros
Sequera, who also had to win two matches Saturday to take the championship.
In the rain-delayed semifinal, they defeated Jelena Jankovic and Anne Kremer
75 57 62 then backed up to defeat Jelena Kostanic and Claudine Schaul in the
final, 76(3) 63.
McShea/Sequera now hold three titles together (all Tier III events), having
won Acapulco and Strasbourg earlier this season. It was McShea's fourth Tour
doubles title and Sequera's third. The team also reached the Birmingham final
last week.
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