Injury-prone Petkovic delighted with win

German upsets Cepelova 7-5, 6-2 to earn Family Circle Cup title.


Afp April 07, 2014
Petkovic won 32 of 49 first serve points in the 79-minute contest against Cepelova, who defeated Serena Williams in the second round. PHOTO: FILE REUTERS

CHARLESTON: Andrea Petkovic said she was relieved over making a full recovery from her injuries as she earned her first title in nearly three years with a straight-sets win in the Family Circle Cup.

Germany’s Petkovic posted a 7-5, 6-2 win over rising star Jana Cepelova for her third WTA Tour crown and first since winning in Strasbourg in 2011. Her first title came fiver years ago in Bad Gastein.

Petkovic clinched the win in the eighth game of the second set when Cepelova’s forehand return sailed past the baseline.

Petkovic has battled a myriad of injuries.

“I was just so relieved and proud that I’ve come back from all these injuries,” she said. “I never thought I would play in the finals of the big tournaments again, and so I was proud and happy and everything just sort of came together.”

Petkovic, who was ranked as high as number nine in 2011, said she didn’t expect to play in a final against the 20-year-old Cepelova, who easily knocked off world number one Serena Williams in the second round.

Cepelova, who appears to be headed for a breakout season on the Tour, achieved something very few 20 year olds have been able to do. She came to Charleston alone — without any entourage of any sort, including a coach.

“I want to congratulate Jana,” Petkovic said. “I am amazed you did this all by yourself. No coach, nobody with you. “If you had said something I would have coached you but obviously you don’t need it.”

Cepelova was seeking to become the first player since Sabine Lisicki in 2009 to claim her maiden title in Charleston.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2014.

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