Date:25/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/25/stories/2006092508471800.htm

Sport - Tennis

Kuznetsova clinches title

BEIJING: Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova downed world number one Amelie Mauresmo 6-4, 6-0 in a rain-interrupted final to win the China Open here on Sunday.

The 21-year-old will move provisionally to fourth in the world rankings for the second time in her career after clinching the final which was stopped by rain for nearly two hours.

Frenchwoman Mauresmo, playing for the first time in China, felt the effect of her semifinal win the day before over Serb Jelena Jankovic, which took nearly three hours.

Kuznetsova, from St. Petersburg, won her second title in as many weeks in Asia after lifting a third Bali crown last Sunday.

The victory was her third in a row this year over Mauremso, the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion.

Paszek triumphs

Fifteen-year-old Tamira Paszek won her first WTA tournament on Sunday, beating sixth-seeded Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 7-5, 6-1 at the Slovenia Open.

Paszek, ranked 259th, played her first WTA tournament in October 2005 in Linz, Austria, where she reached the second round. She also joined Austria's Fed Cup team last year.

``I played eight matches in nine days,'' Paszek said. ``It was hard, but unbelievable. I am very happy.''

Paszek reached the final after seventh-seeded Emilie Loit of France retired in the semifinals while Camerin had defeated compatriot Tathiana Garbin 7-5, 6-2.

The results: At Beijing (WTA China Open): Final: Svetlana Kuznetsova bt Amelie Mauresmo 6-4, 6-0.

At Portoroz: (WTA Slovenia Open): Final: Tamira Paszek bt Maria Elena Camerin 7-5, 6-1. Semifinals: Maria Elena Camerin bt Tathiana Garbin 7-5, 6-2; Tamira Paszek bt Emilie Loit 4-6, 2-0 (retd.). — AP