Yanina Wickmayer's comprehensive Auckland victory seemed sadly lacking in emotion, says Steve Deane.
Yanina Wickmayer left New Zealand having conquered the ASB Classic field but perhaps not having won too many hearts and minds along the way.
The 20-year-old Belgian, who overpowered top-seed Flavia Pennetta in a one-sided final on Saturday, was a worthy champion. She didn't drop a set, showcasing a game that contains enough power, precision and aggression to suggest she will shortly attain a position among the game's elite.
Having come to New Zealand at late notice and under a cloud created by her infraction of drug-testing protocols, Wickmayer also clearly possesses no shortage of mental toughness.
She was the complete package but, somehow, her performances left many who viewed them feeling cold.
Robotic was probably the word that best summed up Wickmayer. Her demolition of her opponents was mechanical. Her post-match reactions were much the same.
It was difficult to believe her when she said winning the title in Auckland would always hold a special place in her heart.
Maybe that's being a touch harsh, especially on a 20-year-old who still has to endure the stress of operating under a suspended ban pending an appeal of her one-year sentence for failing to notify drug testers of her whereabouts last year. But, by failing to show any contrition or admit any hint of wrongdoing over the actions that led to her ban, Wickmayer somewhat brought that sort of judgment upon herself.
She also suffered by comparison with the two previous Classic champions, Elena Dementieva and Lindsay Davenport - two seasoned, polished and downright charming operators on and off the court.
Wickmayer, then, may not go down as one of the most fondly remembered Auckland champions, but she may well end up being one of the best.
It seems absurd that, having cleaned up a field containing five top 20 players here, she must now enter qualifying at the Australian Open. Grand Slams are supposed to showcase the game's best talent, and Wickmayer certainly qualifies on that score.
It also hardly seems fair on the wannabees she will face in qualifying, who will hardly have received a fair deal in drawing the world No 16 in full cry.
Her exclusion from the main draw on a technicality - that she wasn't eligible to play when entries closed - is a nonsense. A decision not to offer her a wildcard is equally as stupid.
It is as if someone in the sport's hierarchy is trying to teach her a lesson about the importance of rules.
Surely that is a lesson Wickmayer has already learned.
