Magdalena Rybarikova is the latest young star to add her name to the growing list of International Series champions, taking her first steps on the Road To Bali and towards a place in the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.
The 20-year old Slovak defeated China’s Li Na 6-0 7-6 (7-2) to win the Aegon classic, held at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club, becoming the first player from her country to win a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title since Daniela Hantuchova in Linz in October 2007. It was her first Tour final, with her previous best results coming in Tashkent in 2008 and Hobart and Pattaya this year, where she reached the semi-finals.
Her victory over the number four seed was her career fourth over a top 20 opponent, all of which have come this season. She previously beat Flavia Pennetta at Hobart , Caroline Wozniacki at Pattaya and then Chinese No.1 and Birmingham top seed Zheng Jie in the third round this week.
"It's the best feeling in my career. It's unbelievable. It's like a dream," said a delighted Magdalena. "I've always liked grass. I have a good serve, forehand and volley - I think it's my best surface, for sure. I won the first set easily today but I knew the second set would be tougher. I was very nervous in the tie-break but I kept moving well, and I think she was more nervous than me.
"Before this week I thought a quarterfinal would be a good result because I knew I had to play Zheng in the third round. When I beat her I started to think I had a chance, especially after Li beat Sharapova in the semis."
The Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions will feature top Tour players and next generation champions competing in an innovative 12 woman round robin singles format, offering $600,000 in prize money. In addition, an incredible $1 million bonus will be paid to any player that can win three of the 30 International Series events, and the Tournament of Champions.
The top 10 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players who have won at least one International tournament during the year and who are not participating in singles at the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships will qualify for the event, along with two wild cards. The 12-woman event will feature four groups of three players in a round robin format, then a single-elimination semi-finals and final.
Matches will take place at the Bali Convention Centre, The Westin, Nusa Dua, Bali, from 4th to 8th November.
Next Event
