Positive memories flood back for Friedsam in doubles triumph

02.10.2021    Views: 1118
Source: KTF press-service
Author:
Courtney Walsh

When Anna-Lena Friedsam arrived in Nur-Sultan for the inaugural Astana Open, positive memories came flooding back to the German.
The 27-year-old, who partnered Monica Niculescu to the doubles championship on Saturday, won the first professional title of her career in Kazakhstan when claiming an ITF $10,000 event in March, 2012.
«It is already my third time here on this facility. I won my first professional tournament here in 2012, back in the days, on this site. So I have very good memories,» she said.
«It is nice to have tournaments all over the world. These are nice countries and I like to see the people, how they are living, how they are happy to have us here. That is a very good thing.»
Partnering for the first time this week, Friedsam and Niculescu claimed the title when defeating Anastasia Zahkarova and Angelina Gabueva 6-2 4-6 10-5.
The champions looked in control of the final when leading by a set and a service break, but the Russians found their rhythm late in the second set to level the decider.
But Niculescu and Friedsam started the match tiebreaker with a blitz when claiming their second win in succession in a match tiebreaker.
They had previously defeated Vitalia Diatchenko and Yana Sizikova 6-4 3-6 10-8 to reach the final.
«We had a lot of emotions. We were a set and 4-2 up and I thought we were going to close it there but in the end … I am happy we did it in a super tiebreaker,» Nicolescu said.
«It was a tough match. They played great. They had a great week and they are a tricky opponent. They are fighters. It was very difficult. (But) we played better and better each day, getting to know each other.»
Friedsam was full of praise for her partner this week, describing her aptitude at the net as outstanding.
«I think our game works really well together,» she said.
«Monica is unbelievable at the net. She saved us with some great points this week.»
 
 

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