 Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2004 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2004 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2004 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2004 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 21 Mar 2004 | |
|
| 21 Mar 2004 - Neil Robinson | |
| Kleybanova and Schwank Reign in Brazil |
Top seed Alisa Kleybanova duly defended the Banana Bowl title in Sao Paolo, Brazil today for her second Grade A success so far. The fourteen-year-old Russian overcame some stubborn resistance in the second set to defeat third seeded Hungarian Agnes Szavay 61 75.
The players met almost exactly a year ago in the 2003 Gerdau Cup where Szavay had taken the first set before Kleybanova hit back to triumph but this time Kleybanova was on her game from the start and quickly pocketed the first set as Szavay was unable to hold serve.
The Hungarian began to find her range in the second set, held serve twice and then broke Kleybanova for a 3-1 lead. The Russian dug deep and broke back in the seventh game and then held serve to draw level at 4-all. Another break in the eleventh game left Kleybanova to serve for the title and Szavay saved two match points but could not prevent her younger opponent earning her second Grade A title.
Kleybanova, following a sluggish first round match showed good form all week and did not drop a set from the second round onwards. She has won her last two tournaments on the ITF Junior Circuit in both singles and doubles. As a result, she will climb back into the top five of the ITF Junior Rankings, while Szavay can content herself with a first appearance inside the top ten.
Argentine Eduardo Schwank edged the boys’ final 75 63 over Spanish fourth seed Pablo Andujar-Alba to claim his first Grade A success. The top seed has had a phenomenal run in six South American tournaments, losing only twice. This rich vein of form has carried him to No.2 in the ITF Junior Rankings while Andujar-Alba climbs to the fringes of the top ten after what was his second defeat in a Grade A final in 2004.
Related Articles
> Kleybanova One Match Away
> Banana Bowl Semifinalists Decided
> Banana Bowl Day 3 Round Up
> Lacko Ousted in Round Two
> 34th Banana Bowl Gets Underway
^ Back to Top
|
