Zagreb Open: Tara Würth wins doubles title after early singles exit

Tara Würth cannot finish a tournament in her hometown of Zagreb without a trophy in her hands. In defending her singles title, she stumbled at the first hurdle, but she shone in doubles instead and won the fourth title of her career in her first-ever partnership with Swiss player Naima Karamoko.

That trophy, as well as the fact that the singles title was won by Russia’s Erika Andreyeva, who defeated her in the first round, may serve as a form of consolation for her disappointing early exit from the singles draw, CE Report informs via the Zagreb Open's official website.

The final clash against Romania’s Briana Szabo and Latvia’s Beatrise Zeltina began on Friday and was only completed on Sunday. Würth and Karamoko claimed the title in an “Ivanisevic-like” fashion, winning 3–6, 7–6 (4), 10–5.

“On the first day we only played three games, and then we waited a day and a half for the continuation. When we resumed, we really got into rhythm, but when I was serving for the set at 5–4, we had to stop again. The third day was just the finishing phase of the match. It was a very interesting experience,” said Tara Würth after the match.

The first two days were played in gloomy and rainy conditions, while on Sunday they were greeted by a sun-soaked Šalata. Würth and Karamoko missed two set points in the first game after the restart. They earned another break at 6–5 for another chance to serve for the set, but again failed to convert. However, they saved their best for the two tie-breaks that followed. In the regular tiebreak they conceded four points (7–4), and in the “super tie-break”, which decided the title, they triumphed 10–5, delighting themselves and the fans in the stands.

For Tara, this is the fourth doubles title of her career, while her partner reached the milestone of 20 career trophies.

“I still play doubles for fun and enjoyment because I like it. Her experience and my fighting spirit turned out to be a good combination.”

In her victory speech, Tara also gave special thanks.

“I want to thank the ball boys and girls. They were here all day. I also want to thank the people who prepared the courts. It was really difficult for them in these conditions, but they did an excellent job. I also want to thank director Branimir Horvat and his team for organizing this tournament at beautiful Šalata. I hope we will continue to meet here for many years,” said the 23-year-old from Zagreb.

After the doubles final, on the same court, two 21-year-olds — Russia’s Erika Andreyeva and Germany’s Ella Seidel — played the singles final. The former world No. 65 proved once again that she came to the tournament with a clear goal and would not allow herself to stumble at the final hurdle. She needed just over two hours to win in three sets (6–3, 3–6, 6–3), claiming the fifth professional title of her career.

“From the moment I arrived at this tournament, I felt at home. I felt very comfortable,” she said after defeating the German, a win that will move her up around 60 places in the WTA rankings to around 250th position.

“This is definitely a strong boost for me. I gained confidence throughout the week playing against very strong opponents in very difficult conditions. I proved to myself that I can handle everything — the rain, playing badly, basically anything — as long as I am determined and want it.”

Andreyeva defeated local players in qualifying and the early rounds, including defending champion Tara Würth.

“I’ve known Tara for a long time, since junior days, but I didn’t know she had won the title here last year. I was ready for that match. Every win gave me extra confidence.”

Just as last year’s Zagreb Open was a “launch pad” for Dino Prižmić’s career, this year it could have the same effect on the Russian player, who has a clear goal ahead.

“First of all, I want to enjoy being on the court and the work I put in. That’s also why I stepped away from tennis for a while. Lately I’ve been improving, and I feel good about what I’m doing on court. My goal is to improve my ranking and join Mira on the WTA Tour as soon as possible,” said the Russian player with a smile, referring to her two-years-younger but more successful and much more famous sister Mira Andreyeva, currently ranked eighth in the WTA singles rankings.

Coincidentally or not, the sisters were playing for titles at the same time in two different places and both ended up as winners — Erika in Šalata in Zagreb’s “tennis cathedral”, and Mira Andreyeva in Rome’s legendary Foro Italico at a WTA 1000 doubles event with Diana Shnaider. What a day for the Andreyeva family!

W75 ITF Zagreb Open, singles – final
Erika Andreyeva – Ella Seidel (GER/1) 6–3, 3–6, 6–3

W75 ITF Zagreb Open, doubles – final
Tara Würth / Naima Karamoko (CRO-SUI/2) – Briana Szabo / Beatrise Zeltina (ROM-LAT/3) 3–6, 7–6 (4), 10–5

Photo: Instagram/w__tara/