By Erik Gudris | Saturday, January 6, 2017
American Lauren Davis earned a convincing straight sets win to claim her maiden WTA title at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
American Lauren Davis emerged as the surprise winner of the ASB Classic after a dramatic, upset filled week in Auckland, New Zealand.
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“It’s an incredible feeling,” the 23-year-old Davis said right after her straight sets win in Saturday’s final.
Auckland featured a number of big name upsets earlier in the week, including top seed Serena Williams who struck 88 unforced errors in a losing three set match to Madison Brengle. The eventful week left only unseeded Davis and No. 8 seed Ana Konjuh of Croatia to compete for the title.
Early on, both players kept each other at bay on the baseline with big hitting on both sides. But it was Davis who secured the first serve break for 4-2 after Konjuh netted a backhand.
Konjuh struck back right away. Holding a break point of her own in the next game, Konjuh ripped a perfect backhand pass to get back on serve.
However Konjuh lacked consistency during many rallies and committed too many errors. Davis, currently ranked No. 61 in the world, profited by breaking Konjuh again and then eventually closing out the set 6-3.
The Boca Raton, Florida native Davis kept her momentum going early in the second set. With forceful returns, Davis found herself holding a break point. Konjuh would surrender the opening game with a double fault.
Davis fought off several break points in the second game and after that never really allowed Konjuh to work herself back in the match. Davis later earned another service break to extend her lead to 4-1.
Davis, who served particularly well throughout the match, held serve for 5-1. Konjuh tried to force Davis to perhaps serve out the match, but instead found herself facing match point in her next service game. After just over a hour in play, Davis wasted no time securing the match 6-3, 6-1 and with it her first ever WTA title.
Davis, who reached two finals in 2016, spoke about the big win during the trophy ceremony.