Marta Kostyuk has gained her first profession WTA title at age 20 by beating Russia’s Varvara Gracheva 6-3 7-5 within the ATX Open closing in Texas, then devoted the victory to her residence nation of Ukraine.
Eighth-seeded Kostyuk and unseeded Gracheva didn’t meet on the web for the standard post-match handshake; Kostyuk has mentioned she is not going to accomplish that after going through any opponents from Russia, which started its invasion of Ukraine greater than a 12 months in the past, or Belarus, which helped launch the assault.
“Being in the position that I am in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk mentioned throughout Sunday’s trophy ceremony in Austin.
“And I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people that are fighting and dying right now.”
When world No.88 Gracheva sailed a forehand lengthy to finish the match, Kostyuk – who trailed 5-3 within the second set and saved a set level at 5-4 – dropped to her knees on the baseline, put her arms on her face and sobbed.
“Obviously,” mentioned Kostyuk, who was the junior champion on the 2017 Australian Open, “it’s a very special moment.”
Both gamers have been collaborating in a tour-level title match for the primary time, they usually mixed for 13 breaks of serve – eight by Kostyuk – and 14 double-faults. Both gained fewer than 50 per cent of factors on serve.
Kostyuk, who got here into the day ranked 52nd, grew to become the third first-time champion on the ladies’s tour in 2023.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
