Tennis
Errani makes Italian history
2012-07-16 09:14
Palermo - Sara Errani captured the Palermo Open on Sunday to become the first Italian ever to win four WTA titles in a season.
Errani, who had already won claycourt events at Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest this year, routed eighth seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the final, 6-1, 6-3.
"It wasn't easy like the score looks - Barbora was playing very aggressively and it was tough for me," said French Open runner-up Errani.
The previous record for most WTA titles in a season for an Italian came just last year, as Errani's best friend and doubles partner, Roberta Vinci, won three, at Barcelona, 's-Hertogenbosch and Budapest.
"I wasn't thinking about the record today, but I'm very happy to have the record - to win four tournaments in a season is incredible for me," Errani said.
"It's a magic period for me. This year I've played some fantastic tennis on clay, losing only a few matches, but I really want to improve my results on hard and grass."