Top-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova claimed her first career victory over Francesca Schiavone here on Sunday as the Italian's run of futility in WTA Tour finals continued.
Petrova beat the third-seeded Schiavone 6-4, 6-4, her first victory in five meetings between the two. She captured the 95,000-dollar first prize in this 600,000-dollar clay court tournament, while Schiavone slipped to 0-7 lifetime in WTA Tour finals. Schiavone was undone by 25 unforced errors, including five double faults.
After falling short in her first four singles finals, including at Berlin and Bangkok last year, Petrova has now performed exceptionally well in her last three. She broke through in Linz last year and lifted the trophy with a victory over current world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo in Doha five weeks ago.
That's a feeling Schiavone is still seeking.