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Lower seed is a cut above
SYDNEY: The class of sixth
seed Jana Novotna of Czechoslo
vakia earned her an upset victory
over Spain's Arantxa Sanchez-Vi
cario in the final of the women's
singles NSW Open at Sydney's
White City yesterday.
Novotna won her second tour
nament in Australia within three
year's with a comfortable 6-4,6-2
win over the second seed.
"It's my biggest win so far," an
elated Novotna said.
"During the tournament my
form was improving.
"I played top tennis today."
The win earned the Czech
$US45,000 ($A58,300) and fol
lows that of her former compatri
ot and current coach Hana
Mandlikova, who took the title in
1979.
Sanchez-Vicario led 3-1 in the
first set but self-destructed, losing
seven straight service games.
There were five breaks of serve
in a first set almost devoid of
winners, punctuated by unforced
errors and self-inflicted tension.
Tennis players speak of "get
ting tight" the way golfers agonise
over the putting "yips".
In the first set, the momentum
swayed against the server before
Sanchez Vicario relinquished
serve again at 4-5 to present the
Czech with the set.
Ironically, the Spaniard had
lost just 13 games without drop
ping a set in reaching the final,
while Novotna survived a three
setter in the second round and
beat Austria's Judith Wiesner in
the third round by default after
being down a set.
But yesterday Novotna had too
much consistency and poise for
Sanchez-Vicario, ranked seven in
the world — six places above the
Czcch.
The Spaniard's normally fluent
groundstrokes were choked by
nerves, while her volleys and
serve lacked sting and were pun
ished by Novotna, who grew in
confidence as the match pro
gressed.
Her excursions to the net were
mostly fruitful and, while her
groundstrokes lacked the flair of
her opponent's, they were more
consistent and ultimately more
effective.
$