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Mauresmo thrashes Bovina to win Linz title

November 01, 2004 10:29 IST

France's Amelie Mauresmo thrashed Elena Bovina 6-2, 6-0 to win her fourth title of the year at the $585,000 Linz Open on Sunday.

Top-seeded Mauresmo overpowered Bovina from the very first point to add to her 2004 titles at the German Open, Rome and Montreal in some style.

"I came here to win but I was expecting a more difficult clash in the final as our previous two meetings both went to three sets," the 25-year-old said after wrapping up her 14th career title.

"Bovina gave her all to the very end and she even had a break point which I managed to save.

"I mixed it up at the right times and made it difficult for Elena to play her game... Also, she was more tired than me after (Saturday's) semi-final match and I think that took a lot out of her."

Mauresmo, who has struggled with a thigh injury in recent weeks, almost decided to give the Austrian tournament

a miss and was full of smiles afterwards.

"I made the right decision coming here ... it is great," she said.

Mauresmo recently reached the top of the world rankings for the first time before being leapfrogged by Lindsay Davenport and is gunning for that position back before the end of the year.

Bovina, seeded ninth at the Austrian event, had edged a desperately tight semi-final against compatriot Nadia Petrova 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 on Saturday and looked to have nothing left for the final.

The 21-year-old, ranked 19th in the world, appeared to have little energy or firepower against her powerful French opponent.

"I just couldn't get into the match at all," she conceded. "I didn't know what to do, she was playing too well.

"I was tired a bit from (Saturday's) match against Nadia," Bovina said. "It was very intense and was tough to come back and play at such a high level again."
Source: REUTERS
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