With a surprisingly straightforward 6-2 6-1 victory over Caroline Wozniacki, Nadia Petrova became the third titlist of the Tournament of Champions – after Aravane Rezai (2009) and Ana Ivanovic (2010, 2011) – which has relocated from Bali to Sofia this year.
It’s a nice finish to the season for Petrova, with Tokyo title, WTA Championships doubles and now Sofia singles, her 13th singles career title.
In the round-robin phase of the Tournament of Champions, Petrova beat Maria Kirilenko, Zheng Jie and Tsvetana Pironkova for a perfect 3-0 score in the Sredets Group, then Roberta Vinci in the dramatic semifinal 6-7(8) 6-1 6-4, and finally Wozniacki, for the first time in their last five clashes.
Even though she’s come short of the Sofia title, the world No.11 Wozniacki is leaving Bulgaria with a season-ending Top 10 ranking, thanks to her semifinal victory over Tsvetana Pironkova. Let me remind you, Wozniacki started 2012 ranked No.1!
Petrova, who is now coached by Ricardo Sanchez, Wozniacki’s coach of earlier this year, will finish the season ranked 12th, one spot higher than her current standing. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
It´s surprising that Caro did not take this,however, Nadia has played really well during this tournament.