By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 8, 2021
Andrea Petkovic powered to the title at Cluj-Napoca in Romania, defeating Mayar Sherif for the title.
Photo Source: Winner's Open
Andrea Petkovic capped off a strong week with a stunning performance in Sunday’s Winner’s Open final in Cluj-Napoca final in Romania, defeating Egypt’s Mayar Sherif, 6-1, 6-1, for her seventh career title and first since 2015.
The German, a former World No.9, dominated the final, didn’t face a break point, and won 12 of 18 second-serve return points to break Sherif in five of her seven service games. She closed the victory in 61 minutes, making it nine wins across ten matches since July. In that span Petkovic also reached the final in Hamburg, where she was defeated by Elena Gabriela Ruse in the final.
"I feel so happy," Petkovic told the press, after her win. "It feels much longer than six years, because so many things happened in the six years. I was ready to retire, I almost did retire, I started five new jobs. Now being back to what I love most, tennis, and winning at it, is just the best feeling. I’m the happiest person in the world right now."
The trip to the final was also historical for Sherif, as she became the first Egyptian woman to reach a WTA final in history. This achievement comes just six months after she became the first Egyptian woman to win a Grand Slam singles match at this year’s Australian Open.
Sherif will make her Top-100 debut in Monday’s WTA rankings, at a projected 97; Petkovic will rise from 91 to a projected 68 for her efforts.