Errani Finds Form in Palermo

Yesterday, Italy's Sara Errani became the second first time singles winner, beating seventh seed Mariya Koryttseva for the Internazionali Femminili di Tennis di Palermo title on Sunday. Errani who had never previously been in a WTA tour final made quick work of her 62 63. While Koryttseva did show some fine tennis skill at time, she was inconsistent, while Errani, though stating that she herself was not at her best, remained steady to take the title. Errani, who conquered the number one seed, Flavia Pennetta, in a tough semifinal did not slow down and displayed her clay-court abilities. When interviewed after the match, Errani explained the keys to her success: "I think the difference between us was I was stronger in the long points. It was difficult to stay physically strong the whole week because it's very hot here, but I think I did better in the end."

With her breakthrough win, Errani completed a similar double to Alize Cornet in Budapest, teaming up with Nuria Llagostera Vives to beat Alla Kudryavtseva and Pavlyuchenkova in a super set tie break, 26 76(1) 104.

Alize Cornet Wins Budapest!

ALIZE CORNET! won her first WTA tour title today at the Gaz de Paris Open in Budapest, Hungary against unseeded finalist Andreja Klepac 76(5) 63. The Tier III event saw Alize reach her third final of the year in her breakout 2008 season, bettering her previous two results at Acapulco and Rome coming away with the title and the $28,000 winner's cheque. In reaching the last day of the tournament, Cornet surrendered just 11 games in her previous three matches. At 18 years of age, Alize also became the youngest champion in the history of the event.

Later in the day, partnering with Janette Husarova, Cornet won her first career doubles title of her career, beating their opponents 67(5) 61 106. With the double win Alize became just the fourth person to win both singles and doubles at the same event. Said Alize about the wonderful results of the day, "I'm so happy to win today. It's my first victory on the Tour, so it's very special. It's my favorite surface and it's a big tournament - a Tier III - so it's really just unbelievable. I've had great results on clay this season. I was just really happy to be able to compete so well in Budapest this week." She next heads to Bad Gastein, a clay tournament in Austria.