• AEGON Classic

Lisicki stuns Hantuchova in Birmingham

ESPN staff
June 13, 2011
Sabine Lisicki broke three times in Birmingham © Getty Images
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WTA Tour seedings

Sabine Lisicki was the surprise winner of the 2011 AEGON Classic, after she defeated Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets on Monday.

The pair were made to wait around in Birmingham as Sunday's final was postponed due to adverse weather, and Lisicki dealt better with the change of schedule, triumphing 6-3 6-2. The German stayed solid behind her powerful serve, breaking once in the first set and twice in the second to clinch victory.

World No. 28 Hantuchova had won the only previous head-to-head between the duo, winning in straight sets in Luxembourg back in 2008. She had also defeated Ana Ivanovic en route to the final, fighting back from a set down to overcome the world No. 19.

The Slovak was chasing her second title of an impressive season that has seen her knock out Caroline Wozniacki in the French Open, but she came across a player in Lisicki who seems to be growing with every match.

Lisicki carried a far superior win-loss record (22-11, compared to Hantuchova's 21-16) into the contest for the calendar year of 2011, and in-form third seed Shuai Peng proved no problem in the semi-finals. However, the experience advantage was definitely with Hantuchova, as Lisicki targeted only her second ever WTA Tour title.

When the players arrived on court, it was Lisicki who looked comfortable, firing down eight aces in the match and affording her rival just one break point. By contrast, the German created nine break chances, converting three en route to a lop-sided victory.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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