Years of loyalty to the ASB Bank Classic woman's tournament paid off for Israel's Anna Smashnova today when she won the tournament final against Tatiana Panova.
Anna defeat Russia's Panova in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to claim the title in Auckland -- trashing predictions that the two baseline players would deliver a boring, four-hour final.
An extremely happy Smashnova said the wind hadn't made it the easiest of finals for either player.
"I haven't won too many WTA Tour titles, so I'm not good at making speeches. Hopefully I'll be making many more speeches in future," Smashnova told a delighted crowd.
