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WEEKLY
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| Rezai set for move into top 30 after Bali win |
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Monday, November 09, 2009
DENPASAR, Indonesia: Aravane Rezai claimed her second career trophy with a 7-5 win at the Bali Tournament of Champions as fellow Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli quit with a thigh injury after the first set on Sunday.
Rezai’s win should see her break into the WTA top 30 for the first time.
The victory in 62 minutes — it ended on a Bartoli double-fault — was the first all-French singles final on the Tour since Amelie Mauresmo beat Mary Pierce at the Paris Indoors in 2006.
The title was the second of her career for the 44th-ranked Rezai, following her win at Strasbourg in May.
“It’s a great feeling to be here in the final, I’m very sorry for Marion that this happened,” said the winner of a career-best 200,000 dollars.
“I’d prefer to win in a different way, but its tennis, a lot of different things happen. I was really motivated to win here.”
Rezai now stands 2-2 in career finals after finishing runner-up in 2007 at Istanbul against Elena Dementieva and in 2008 at Auckland against Lindsay Davenport.
Bartoli dropped to 5-6 lifetime in singles finals after her disappointment on the tropical Indonesian resort island.
The number 12 had been bidding for a year-end number 10 finish had she claimed the trophy.
“I’m crying right now, but I’m so happy to be here,” said Bartoli, runner-up at Bali three years ago when it was part of the regular WTA Tour.
“Aravane had a wonderful week and played some great tennis.
“My leg was hurting. I tried my best to carry on, but it was too much pain. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to finish today.” Top seed Bartoli had been bidding for a third title of the season.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
