Stuttgart. Jelena Jankovic, who will be back on top of the world rankings on Monday, was also the new No. 1 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. A sell-out crowd in the Porsche Arena saw the favourite win the final of the long-standing tournament against the Russian, Nadia Petrova, the 2006 winner, 6-4, 6-3.
“It’s a great feeling winning two tournaments in two weeks,” said Jelena Jankovic, who was also successful last Sunday at the China Open in Beijing. “I’m very proud of myself. I’ve already got a Porsche Turbo and now I’ll have a Carrera as well. There’s room in my garage. I’ll definitely be back next year especially as the people in the Porsche Arena are so great. It’s an awesome tournament.”
In the first set, the 23-year-old Serb did not give the Russian No. 18 a look in. “I then eased off a bit,” said Jankovic. ”Nadia got back in the match in the second set but then I stepped up a gear and was able to finish off the match. I’m now overjoyed. See you in 2009!”
Nadia Petrova was a good loser. “I came here to win the tournament,” said the winner in 2006. “I really wanted a second tournament win here but sometimes things don’t quite work out. I fought hard but Jelena was simply too good for me. I hope we served up some good tennis in the final for the spectators. If the fans are happy then I’m happy too. It was a great week for me and I’ll be back next year.”
WTA Tour Supervisor Laura Ceccarelli was also very happy with the way the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2008 went. “The players all loved being here. They appreciate being part of something special,” said the Italian. She also loves coming to the tournament herself. Recently she had to decide whether to come back to Stuttgart in 2009 or go to her home tournament in Rome, as according to WTA regulations supervisors are not allowed to officiate at back-to-back events. She decided in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s favour.”
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix doubles title went to Anna-Lena Gröenefeld (Germany) and Patty Schnyder (Switzerland). They beat last year’s winners and top-seeded Kveta Peschke/Rennae Stubbs (Czech Republic/Australia) 6-2, 6-4.
2008-10-06
