Unseeded Slovenian wins ASB Classic tennis

Japan's Shinobu Asagoe lost in today's final. Picture / Fotopress

Unseeded Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik has won the ASB Tennis Classic singles title.

Srebotnik has beaten her friend and doubles partner, Japanese fourth seed Shinobu Asagoe in a three set tussle in Auckland.


Asagoe took control of the match early on, winning the opening set 7-5. Srebotnik struggled with a thigh injury in the second set, but fought back to win it 7-5.

The third set saw both players play with grit and determination, but the Slovenian finally won her first ever WTA event: 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.

But there is no time to celebrate or commiserate for either player, because the two finalists will pair up in the final of the doubles tonight.

They take on New Zealand's Leanne Baker and her Italian partner Francesca Lubiani.

Earlier, Asagoe won her semifinal against top-seeded Amy Frazier of the USA today 7-6, 6-4. 

Srebotnik beat French fifth-seed Marion Bartoli (France) 7-5 2-6 7-5 in the other semifinal.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB