Czech Safarova wins Prague Open

Czech tennis player Lucie Safarova won her seventh women's singles title at the Prague Open, beating Australian Samantha Stosur 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the final.

The 29-year-old Safarova did not win any of her singles matches this year before the Prague Open due to illness, reports Xinhua.

World No.16 Safarova went down an early break in her first service game. No.25 Stosur threaded a pinpoint accurate backhand down the line to bring up the first break chance of the match.

The Australian's heavy shots gave Safarova plenty of trouble throughout the opening set.

Despite pushing back during the later stages of the set, Safarova wasn't able to pressure the Stosur serve and find a chance to break back, dropping the first set.

At the winning ceremony here on Saturday, Safarova said that she was so touched that she did not know what to say. She said she was lying in bed and could not move six months ago.

--IANS

sam/mr