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Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez used her exquisite drop shot to perfection, defeating Jelena Jankovic to claim the WTA 1000 title in Rome 7-6, 7-5. The Spaniard got off to a brilliant start racing away with a 4-1 lead before Jankovic managed to claw her way back into the match after Maria failed on a few simple put away shots when she was serving for the set. Jankovic managed to get her nose in front before Martinez Sanchez managed to force a tiebreak.
Jankovic, who later said it was unfortunate she had to beat the Williams sisters on route to the final because it takes a lot of energy, clearly struggled with the Martinez Sanchez drop shot and lefty angles. “It was really difficult. She plays very differently to most girls, lots of drop shots, serve and volley and she’s left-handed… She mixes up her game, she doesn’t have one weapon. She’s tricky with all these things she does.”
Jankovic’s comments about having to beat the Williams sisters to get to the final shine a light on the many issues in the WTA with the Serbian star making excuses for her loss and seemingly not wanting to beat the best to get to the final.
Conchita Martinez was the last Spaniard to win the title back in 1996. Martinez Sanchez entered the tournament unseeded and will likely be ranked inside the top 20 after claiming the title.
