20 October 2003

It was the day of the underdog, as Serbia Montenegro teenager Jelena Jankovic secured a straight set 6-2, 7-5 win against Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia to clinch the 6th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club yesterday.

The 18-year-old Jankovic was a deserving winner in straight sets, and Nagyova - the former World No. 21 - was the first to acknowledge this.

"She played really well and there was no way, I could have beaten her with that form," Nagyova said.

Last night was the first title of Jankovic'c professional career.

"This is the first one and it is definitely special. I hope there are many more to follow as I progress in my career," Jankovic beamed after receiving her crystal trophy from Sheikh Hasher Maktoum, Dubai Director of Information and Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group.

And way before the crowd could even take up their seats at the centrecourt, Jankovic was steaming ahead 4-0 with breaks in the second and fourth games.

Of particular potency were Jankovic's pinpointed backhand returns, for which Nagyova had no reply. "She was quick on the ball and I was a bit handicapped as I did not want to aggravate my thigh," Nagyova stated.

But despite the strapped thigh - she also played with this condition in Saturday's semifinals - Nagyova managed to break Jankovic twice in the fifth and seventh games to pull back a couple of points and trail 2-5.

But Jankovic would have none of it as she broke her Nagyova for a third time to wrap up the set 6-2 in under half an hour.

The second set was more evenly-poised with Nagyova matching her younger opponent with a variety of play from the baseline.

And as the set wore on, Nagyova showed the depth of her reserve as she broke Jankovic in the third game to lead 2-1.

But all that hard work went in vain as Jankovic struck back with a break in the very next game to draw level and then held serve to go clear 3-2.

Both players battled in search of an elusive break. But that never came till the 12th game when a superb passing shot from Jankovic found the far corner of the court.

"I had my chances in the second set, but I did not take them," Nagyova relented. "But she was in superb form tonight. She went in for the big rallies and made me run all over the court. That put me behind a bit," Nagyova added.

But there was no denying Jankovic of her moment of glory as she waited in excitement for the presentation formalities to be over. "It's such a fantastic moment for me. I've had my ups and down. But this is definitely going to be a great start for me," she added.

The new winner was also all praise for the organisers of the tournament. "It's such a fantastic event that I want to come for it next year as well," Jankovic said.

"Everything is so great here in Dubai. I got a chance to go out and one feels so safe and secure, the shopping is good and to top it all, I am going with more than $10,000 in my pocket," beamed the new winner.

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