Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Monday 22 May 2017
Italian rankings race by beating Halep told the crowd. “It
Simona Halep 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 was a little tough for me
Open in the women’s final. to get through but Elina
It was a tour-best fourth title played great.”
this year for Svitolina and Halep was playing in her
Continued on Page 17
the most prestigious tro- second clay-court final in
Played great, served phy of her young career. two weeks after winning
great. On the other hand, The 22-year-old Ukrainian the title in Madrid last Sun-
he didn’t get much from also leads the tour with 31 day.
my side. I played very poor match wins this season. Svitolina also required
today. Just couldn’t find “Every day I’m just trying to medical treatment from a
any rhythm.” work on my mental part, trainer midway through the
Djokovic committed nearly my physical, my tennis,” second set, for an appar-
twice as many unforced Svitolina said. “Everything ent problem with her left
errors as Zverev — 27 to 14. just came together and I’m leg.
The match lasted 1 hour, very happy that it’s hap- “Hopefully we’ll recover,
21 minutes. pened in such a big tour- me and Simona, because
Afterward, Djokovic an- nament.” we’re struggling a bit physi-
nounced that Andre Agas- The fourth-ranked Halep cally,” Svitolina said.
si will coach him at the was in full control and serv- During the post-match
French Open, which starts Germany’s Alexander Zverev kisses the trophy after winning his ing for the first set at 5-2 presentation, Svitolina
next Sunday. final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open when she rolled her right dropped the cover of the
“We are both excited to tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 21, 2017. ankle while sliding over silver trophy on to the red
work together and see Associated Press what appeared to be a clay court, prompting her
where it takes us,” Djokovic contenders for Roland Gar- Tennis great Rod Laver pre- small hole in the Foro Italico to say, “Oops.”
said. “We don’t have any ros. It will also add credibil- sented Zverev with the tro- stadium court. The first two sets featured
long-term commitment. It’s ity to the belief by many phy. While Halep was able to long, nervous baseline ral-
just us trying to get to know tennis experts that Zverev “Getting the trophy from eventually win the opening lies in which both players
each other in Paris a little will reach No. 1 some day. Mr. Laver is something very set, she required treatment waited for their opponent
bit.” “If I have only half of the special and something I’ll to her ankle from a trainer to commit errors.
The title will move Zverev career Novak has had, I’ll remember for the rest of twice and was late getting “It was very tough first two
up to a career-high No. be fine,” Zverev said when my career,” Zverev said. to shots as the match wore sets and I’m really happy
10 in the rankings Monday asked if he can follow in Earlier, Elina Svitolina surged on. that it’s all finished,” Svito-
and place him among the Djokovic’s footsteps. to No. 1 in the season-long “Sorry guys for third set,” lina said.q