Alisa Kleybanova claimed a stunning victory over top seed Elena Dementieva in Kuala Lumpur, and Venus Williams did a double/double, winning Acapulco immediately after winning Dubai for the second straight year as both champions set foot on the Road to Bali.
It was a double first in Malaysia as Kleybanova celebrated her first ever career title at the first ever Malaysian Open, beating the Olympic gold medal holder 6-3 6-2. The 20-year old Russian had already demonstrated her promise by reaching the semi-finals in three other events last year, in Fès, Toronto and Moscow, as well as taking three doubles titles. Now she has used her power to overcome one of the most consistently top-ranked players of the last 10 years. Significantly, she won a higher percentage of points on her second serve than Dementieva could win on her first!
"I’m just so happy to win tonight," said the delighted champion. "It’s a great way to end the week. I’ve been working and training hard this past few years and it’s great that I was able to put a great game together today. I would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone involved in the event for helping me feel at home this past week. I also want to thank all the fans and I wish to be back next year!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Venus Williams was successfully defending her title at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco. She defeated eighth seeded Slovak Polona Hercog, but she had to come from behind to earn her 2-6 6-2 6-3 victory. It was Williams’ 43rd career title and her ninth on clay, while 19-year old Hercog was playing her first Tour singles final.
But to earn her victory Williams had earlier needed to pull off one of the biggest comebacks of her career, recovering from 5-1 down in the third set to beat Spanish qualifier Laura Pous Tio in the quarter-finals. She was also taken to three sets in the semiifinals by Edina Gallovits.
"I don't want to stop here - hopefully next year I can win this one three times," said Williams. "I definitely expected her to play tough. She didn't miss too many shots and I have to give her credit, not just for today but for her whole week. Even though she was playing well, I had to find a way to make my game better."
Kleybanova and Williams have now added their names to those hoping to qualify for one of only eight places available for the prestigious Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which takes place at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua from 4th to 7th November. They join Yanina Wickmayer, Kim Clijsters, Alona Bondarenko, Mariana Duque Marino, Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva as contenders, as the International Series now moves on to Monterrey.
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