Kimiko Date-Krumm would not go quietly but Elina Svitolina delivered yet another commanding performance to run away with the Royal Indian Open title at the Shiv Chattrapati Sports Complex here on Sunday.
The 18-year-old held too much for the veteran Japanese, crushing her 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 20 minutes to claim a maiden WTA title (the Royal Indian Open is part of the $125,000 Challenger series).
After a stunning semifinal victory over Andrea Petkovic on Saturday, Svitolina said she intended to bring down Date-Krumm with the same potent service.
True to word, the Ukrainian went after her 42-year-old rival from the outset, finding a break in the third game.
Although Date-Krumm was the more consistent of the two, Svitolina managed the spectacular at the right time.
A little difficulty holding the second and fourth games notwithstanding, she struck four aces, clinched a second break before wrapping the set up 6-2.
Svitolina looked to have the match in control when in the second set she broke at once. Date-Krumm, however, broke right back.
Svitolina’s returns were not the greatest as her opponent demonstrated greater control.
In the fifth game, though, Date-Krumm simply collapsed and was broken to love.
And when Svitolina saved three break points at 4-3, it was only a matter of time.
The result: Elina Svitolina (Ukr) bt Kimiko Date-Krumm (Jap) 6-2, 6-3.
