Written by
The Sports Network
Pattaya City, Thailand (Sports Network) - Daniela Hantuchova defended her
title as she defeated Maria Kirilenko in the Sunday final at the Pattaya Open.
The third-seeded Hantuchova was defeated in the first set by the fourth-seeded
Kirilenko, but rallied to take the next two in a 6-7 (4-7) 6-3, 6-3 victory.
The Australian Open runner-up, Hantuchova fired six aces and won 69 percent of
her first serve points as the Slovakian won her fifth WTA title. She beat
Tamarine Tanasugarn last year in the final at this event.
The 20th-ranked Hanutchova improved to just 5-9 all-time in WTA finals while
Russia's Kirilenko fell to 5-5.
The 26th-ranked Kirilenko hasn't won a final since a victory over Samanha
Stosur in Seoul in September 2008.
Hantuchova improved to 5-2 lifetime against Kirilenko and this was the first
time the two met in a final.
Hantuchova collected $37,000 for the victory.
The Sports Network