$50,000 Kurume - Chalova with birthday cake
The recent $50,000 ITF Pro Circuit tournament held in Kurume, Japan saw an all Russian singles final contested between two friends, Ksenia Lykina and Elena Chalova. Putting their friendship to one side, the two players battled hard and in a close final it was Lykina who took the title with a 75 63 triumph.
At the awards ceremony, there was a surprise for runner-up Chalova when the tournament organisers produced a birthday cake as Chalova had celebrated her birthday a day earlier. This gesture reduced Chalova to tears as she gave a speech.