Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic clinched her first major title in Rome today, beating France's Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in the final of the $1.2 millionTennis Masters Series tournament.
The 18-year-old 14th seed, who dumped her Australian citizenship earlier this year and returned to the Yugoslav flag, had surprised even herself by reaching the final in Rome on the red clay she detests.
But this was another fine performance by Dokic against in-form Mauresmo, seeded four, who last week won the German Open.
The first set was a tightly contested affair but Dokic took control in the tie-break to win 7-3.
The second set was the opposite as Dokic wrapped it up in little more than 20 minutes. In the later stages, 21-year-old Mauresmo gave up the chase, refusing to move for balls that were played down the line.
This was the first ever tournament title at Masters Series or Grand Slam level for Dokic who reached the Wimbledon and Olympic semi-finals last year when she was representing Australia.
AFP