Safarova’s 2016 was truly a struggle until coming to the only tournament in her home nation. In Prague is where she seems to get back to her past form, capturing the title despite defeating tough opponent in Samantha Stosur and Karolina Pliskova.
Samantha Stosur was her opponent in the final. Safarova failed to exercise her game plan, to play into Stosur’s weaker backhand. Making mistakes herself, she lost her serve in the second game, and then failed to take her break point chance at 2-4. Stosur took the first set 6-3, upsetting the full crowd of Czechs.
The Australian failed to bring her form to the second set, and making double faults in the second game, granting Safarova the lead. Safarova started to push her opponent more and became more consistent. This resulted in the Czech taking the second set in 30 minutes, 6-1.
Both players brought their game for an entertaining deciding set. After a great performance, Safarova broke her opponent to lead 4-3, which turned out to be the deciding moment of the match. Safarova served well throughout the tournament and she peaked in the final game. With her 13th ace she proceeded to a match point, and with ace No. 14 she ended the game, set and the match, as the full crowd cheered.
“I felt here like at home, for which I want to thank all the organizers, who took great care of us here. This is truly a very emotive moment for me, because 6 months ago I was lying in my bed, almost unable to move. The road here was awfully difficult, but now I am unbelievably happy, since I came back in Prague,” Safarova rejoiced over her 7th WTA title.
“I had a great week here. This was my first time here at the tournament and I played excellent tennis, which made me very happy. I am very happy that I could have been here and I will gladly return next year,” commented the Australian Samantha Stosur during the trophy ceremony.
Safarova will now move up to No. 13 in the rankings after a successful week, advancing 3 spots. Stosur moved up from No. 25 to 23.
