Spain’s Feliciano Lopez poses with the trophy after winning the men’s singles final match against France’s Gilles Simon at the AEGON International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, yesterday. Lopez won 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-0. RIGHT: Russia’s Elena Vesnina holds the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Jamie Hampton of the US.
EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom: Elena Vesnina and Feliciano Lopez defied chilly, blustery conditions to capture their first career grasscourt titles at the Eastbourne International yesterday.
Unseeded Vesnina of Russia claimed her second WTA title with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Jamie Hampton while Lopez, a three-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat French second seed Gilles Simon 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (5/7), 6-0 in a dress rehearsal of their Wimbledon first-round clash next week.
The Spaniard now owns three titles, his third coming nine years after his first.
He won with 16 aces and forced Simon to save 17 of the 21 break points he faced.
“It’s funny to play the same guy in three days,” said Lopez, 31.
“But this is tennis, and sometimes these things can happen. I can take feedback from that into Tuesday. I’m very happy to win my third title. It’s a great feeling -- good for me, for my game, for my confidence for the rest of the year.”
Simon was playing in his 14th final (10-4) and has won at least one trophy each season since 2007.
The Frenchman, who was limping at the start of the week, was surprised to have gone all the way to the final.
“It was horrible for me -- I had everything. I was so sick. I twisted my ankle. I felt terrible on the court in the first match, but I’m just happy that I managed to get through at all.”
The women’s final lasted only 73 minutes in a whipping wind which resulted in several dead bounces and shots going out which would normally have landed in.
Vesnina was just a fortnight removed from the French Open doubles title which she won alongside Ekaterina Makarova.
“I told myself I just needed to stay in the match, try to play every single point,” said the winner. “Don’t think about wind and just fight. It was just about fighting spirit.
“I’m pretty happy about my game today with these tough conditions. I was trying to play safe, using slice a little bit more just to make Jamie play low balls. You have no choice, you just need to put it in the centre of the court.”
Vesnina, coached by her father, lifted the trophy at Devonshire Park after winning 10 of the last 11 games of the match.
Hampton was playing her first WTA final.
“I was so honoured to be here, it’s been an unforgettable week for me,” said the American.
“I was surprised honestly how she was even hitting the ball in the court, and on top of that she was playing very good tennis. She was very deserving of the title today,” said Hampton.
“I’m very proud of myself for fighting through all the adversity, having to come through qualies and fighting through all the conditions all week.
“Obviously I’m disappointed that I lost today and I would have loved to have won it, but on to the next tournament.” AFP
