• WTA Tour

Scheepers claims maiden title in China

ESPN staff
September 24, 2011
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez reached her first hardcourt final in Seoul © PA Photos
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World number 73 Chanelle Scheepers claimed her maiden WTA Tour title with victory at the Guangzhou International Women's Open in China.

The South African, who had never made it beyond the quarter-finals of a WTA Tour level tournament before, claimed four breaks of serve in a 6-2 6-2 win over Magdalena Rybarikova.

Scheepers, who beat top seed Maria Kirilenko en route to the final, is the first South African to win a WTA title since Amanda Coetzer won in Acapulco in 2003.

"The title means a lot to me because I've worked so hard, to finally win one is really rewarding. Being the first since Amanda is the cherry on the cake," Scheepers said.

Meanwhile, at the Hansol Korea Open in Seoul, sixth seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez reached her first hard-court final. The clay-court specialist, who has four WTA titles to her name, beat Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-2 to set up a clash with first-time finalist Galina Voskoboeva.

The unseeded Kazakh followed Martinez Sanchez into the final with a 6-1 6-4 victory over No. 5 seed Polona Hercog.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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