Zvonarevawins in Croatiafor first title
Posted: Sunday May 04, 2003 10:43 AM
BOL, Croatia (Ticker) — Vera Zvonareva earned her maiden victory Sunday witha 6-1, 6-3 rout of Conchita Martinez Granados in the final of the Croatian BolLadies Open claycourt tennis event.
The 18-year-old Russian triumphed in her second career championship match,earning $27,000. She lost her first final in Palermo last year in three hours toMariana Diaz-Oliva.
Zvonareva was a lot fresher Sunday. The third seed won her third consecutivematch in straight sets and dropped just one set this week.
Zvonareva, had a breakout year in 2002 when she went from No. 371 to No. 45.She has stepped up to the next level this year, reaching quarterfinals at herfirst two events in Auckland and Hobart and two more at Tier I events at IndianWells and Charleston. This win will help her reach her goal of joining the top20.
It was the first WTA Tour championship match for Martinez Granados. The27-year-old Spaniard had won 10 career ITF crowns but has not been able totranslate that success to the top circuit.
