Pironkova powers home to Sydney title

(Rank/Seed)

Somehow, in a most unpredictable fashion, (107/Q) Pironkova won her very first title in her very first final, beating the more experienced (9/5) Kerber 64 64 to win her 8th match in as many days and beat a third successive top 10 player! She is the first Bulgarian woman to win a title since Magdalena Maleeva in Birmingham 2003, the first qualifier to win a Premier level event since Makarova at Eastbourne 2010 and the first qualifier in this event's history to take the title! What a mouthful! Only 3 players have won a Premier level title ranked lower; Alexandra Dulgheru (201 in Warsaw 2009), Serena Williams (169 in Stanford 2011) and Kim Clijsters (133 at Indian Wells 2005).

1st Set
Both players struggled to impose themselves throughout and breaks of serve were plentiful, Pironkova breaking 3 times and Kerber twice. However, though both players won very few second serve points, Pironkova was dominant behind her bigger first serve. The Bulgarian was also much keener to play aggressively, particularly off her huge backhand wing, hitting 16 winners to 13 unforced errors. Kerber was often guilty of overplaying to that wing and though she too executed some fine drop shots, made 10 unforced errors, compared to a mere 7 winners. Pironkova's willingness to hit out won her the set.

2nd Set
Kerber was always under pressure behind her serve, barely surviving an epic 12 minute 2nd game whereby she saved 9 break points to hold, only then to lose her serve two games later. Despite a brief spell where it seemed Pironkova became nervous, losing three straight games from 3-1 up, Tsvetana seemed to believe in her game more so than her opponent, finishing with 32 winners (4 aces) to only 25 unforced errors. Kerber, in contrast seemed to be frustrated at how many balls her opponent brought back into play as she was effectively beaten at her own game. She hit 23 winners to 28 unforced errors overall, as Pironkova served better, retrieved just as well and played more aggressively in all departments.

Pironkova, who last week lost in Shenzhen qualifying to world number 196 Viktorija Golubic, later made a heart warming acceptance speech during the trophy ceremony as the magnitude of this achievement dawned on her. She was very thankful and tearful, dedicating her win to her family and deceased grandfather. For someone who covers the results of the top 10 week in week out and always favours them to pull through, even I was pleased to see this week belong to the qualifier, Tsvetana Pironkova!