PALERMO, Sicily – Top-seeded Sara Errani cruised past Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Italiacom Open.
Errani dominated from the start and needed only 75 minutes to beat the eighth-seeded Czech player for her fourth title of the year.
"It wasn't completely easy, as it might seem from the result," Errani said. "Zahlavova Strycova is a very difficult player. If you don't keep your game up you risk being entrapped by her tennis. In fact if you let your guard down, you won't get out of it.
"At several times during the second set, I tensed up a bit. Then, towards the end of the match, as soon as I was back in front, I loosened up and was able to win the match and the tournament."
Errani, runner-up at the French Open this year, dropped a total of 20 games in five matches en route to reclaiming the trophy she won in 2008.
Her other victories this year were in Budapest, Barcelona and Acapulco. Errani, ranked No. 9 in the world, is the first Italian to win four tournaments in a season.
"It's a magical time for me," the 25-year-old said. "However, I don't aim for records; I only think about playing and improving, without looking at the numbers.
"Today, during the match, I didn't think much about the fact that I would be winning a fourth tournament this season. I only did so, a bit, before the match. On court, I only thought about playing."
Errani will play in next week's Swedish Open in Bastad before focusing on the Olympics in London.
She is then aiming to qualify for the season-ending WTA Championships for the top eight players of the year.
"It's a difficult aim but I'll do my utmost to achieve it," Errani said.
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