Beck gets 1st career title after beating 4th seed Zahlavova Strycova in Luxembourg Open final

Published February 05, 2015

Annika Beck of Germany won her first career title Saturday after beating fourth-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-1 in the Luxembourg Open final.

The 20-year-Beck, who is ranked 60th and was playing in her second final after finishing runner-up here last year, did not drop a set throughout the tournament.

"It's an amazing feeling to win my first WTA title. I played the final last year and I said I'd do anything to win the title this year," Beck said. "It's an unbelievable feeling to actually do it. I enjoyed every moment I had on the center court."

She broke Zahlavova Strycova's shaky serve seven times and saved all five break-point chances on her own serve in the second set as her opponent tried to claw back into the match.

"I'm sad today, but overall it was a great, great week. I was playing well," Zahlavova Strycova said. "I had my chances today, too. Unfortunately I couldn't take them."

Playing in her fifth final, the 31st-ranked Zahlavova Strycova was seeking her second career title after her only success at Quebec City three years ago.

But she was let down by her serve, double-faulting four times and winning less than half of her first-serve points. Beck also beat her at the same tournament two years ago.

Both players struggled badly on their second serves, however, with Beck winning only a measly 14 percent of second-serve points compared to 20 percent for her 28-year-old opponent.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/beck-gets-1st-career-title-after-beating-4th-seed-zahlavova-strycova-in-luxembourg-open-final