Petrova takes Family Circle Cup title
28th April 2006
Nadia Petrova of Russia won her second consecutive WTA Tour title at Charleston’s Family Circle Cup. Petrova defeated Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. Petrova, who also won Amelia Island and Doha this season, was bothered by the heat on centre court during the match, but could fight off the Swiss southpaw in the third set. “At one stage in the match, I wasn’t really sure if I was able to finish it,” the new champion said.
Schnyder, who held off defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in her previous match, saw a chance to take the second set when Petrova lost a service game in the second set. The Russian also needed treatment due to the heat.
Petrova first thought she might have to retire,but she was feeling better after the trainer came on court to gave her a massage, rubbing her with ice and made her drink more water.
“There were a lot of things that went through my mind at that stage, and it was extremely difficult for me. I knew I had a good chance. I needed to win one more set, and I could have actually retired at any time, but I just didn’t want to give up.”
“No matter what happens out there, how badly I play or how badly I feel, I still could find the strength in me and win it,” Petrova said. “I will remember it forever, of course, and when I have a difficult time on court again, I will probably remember this final.”
Patty Schnyder was not having trouble with the weather conditions at all but had other problems on her mind. “I was never really feeling my game. My serve was not really there,” the Swiss said, who played her last final at the Family Circle Cup in 2002, losing it to Iva Majoli.
“From the start, I was like feeling my concentration was not on. I always had to tell myself to watch the ball and then really focus. That is what takes a lot of energy,” Schnyder added.
Petrova, who won her first Tier I tournament at Charleston, said she feels her game has progressed to another level. After changing her long time coach Glen Schaap for Alexsande Mityaev, Petrova seems to have made great progress in finishing her matches.
After winning the Family Circle Cup final, Petrova will move up to No.5 in the ranking, her highest career result so far. She reached a previous career high being of No.6.
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