MELBOURNE: Emma Navarro has won her first WTA tour title with a 6-1 4-6 7-5 over Elise Mertens in the final of the Hobart International on Saturday. It is being viewed her huge success ahead of her Australian Open debut.
The 22-year-old American took the game to her top-seeded Belgian rival from the start of her first tour final, shooting victors from both sides on the back of her big groundstrokes and concluding the first set in short order.
Despite the experienced Mertens’ attempts to mount a comeback in the challenging conditions, including the blustery Tasmanian wind affecting serves, Navarro maintained her aggressive play. The second set saw a spirited fightback from Mertens, a two-time Hobart champion, who leveled the contest at 1-1 with a break of serve. The game unfolded with a captivating exchange of service breaks until Navarro seized a crucial 6-5 lead and held her nerve to secure the victory with a decisive forehand down the line.
Navarro is now set to make her debut at Melbourne Park on Monday, facing China’s Wang Xiyu. Meanwhile, Mertens will kick off her Australian Open campaign against Egyptian Mayar Sherif.
