Top seed Jelena Jankovic got off to a good start, but it was defending champion and second seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova that prevailed and won the Whirlpool Monterrey Open final 2-6 6-2 6-3. The International-level Mexican event is the tournament where the Russian first triumphed and now she’s managed to retain her crown. Pavlyuchenkova also won the Istanbul Cup last year.
In the semifinals Pavlyuchenkova ended Gisela Dulko’s Mexican winning streak. Dulko had won Acapulco and her quarterfinal win at the Monterrey Open was her eighth straight match win. Other players that the 19-ranked Pavlyuchenkova defeated at the 2011 Monterrey Open include Eleni Danilidou, Melanie Oudin and Greta Arn.
Jankovic was looking for her 13th career title and her first since last year’s Indian Wells, but Pavlyuchenkova only improved her record against the Serb to 2-0. In addition, the sixth-ranked Jankovic now has a negative record in career finals (12-13), while Pavlyuchenkova kept her record in Monterrey perfect (10-0) and her win-loss record in career finals is now 3-0.
JJ really had to win this match. She began good, but after the 1st set… She really needs to practise more that forehand. 🙁
This was JJs match, however it all comes down to her inability to close out matches. She had 15 break opportunities and only used 3 I believe in the first set. She NEEDS to use her chances and play more aggressive on those break points if she wants to win bigger tournaments and grand slams!