Israeli tennis star, Anna Smashnova, did it again this past week. Her win over top seeded Thai sportswoman Tamarine Tanasugarn in straight sets in the final of the Canberra Women's Classic tennis tournament gave Smashnova her second WTA tour title in as many weeks. Last week, the talented Smashnova won the ASB Bank Tennis Classic women?s tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, and this week she managed to repeat the performance in Canberra, Australia. The Israeli tennis player beat the number 29 ranked Tanasugarn in the final with a score of 7:5, 7:6 (7:2). It was a hard fought match, with Smashnova playing her trademark baseline game and the lead passing from player to player.
On her way to the final, Anna started the tournament with a match against Japan?s Saori Obata, whom she defeated with some difficulty, Australian wildcard Bryanne Stewart, surprise champ Emilie Loit of France and Australian Amanda Grahame, before finally facing Tanasugarn. Following her back-to-back WTA wins, Smashnova is now ranked at number 55 in the world, a jump of 33 places in the rankings since the start of the Aukland tournament.
The magic did not continue into this week?s Australian Open in Melbourne, however, as Anna was knocked out of the first round of the women?s singles by Katarina Srebotnik. The 99th ranked Slovenian beat Smashnova 6:2, 6:2, in what was the Israeli?s first loss after ten consecutive wins. Perhaps Anna Smashnova?s statement after winning her first match in the Canberra Women?s Classic, a match that was obviously difficult for her, can serve to explain her unfortunate loss this week in the Australian Open, ?It wasn't an easy match today, mentally it was not easy? I was not playing my best because the first round after winning is always difficult.?
On her way to the final, Anna started the tournament with a match against Japan?s Saori Obata, whom she defeated with some difficulty, Australian wildcard Bryanne Stewart, surprise champ Emilie Loit of France and Australian Amanda Grahame, before finally facing Tanasugarn. Following her back-to-back WTA wins, Smashnova is now ranked at number 55 in the world, a jump of 33 places in the rankings since the start of the Aukland tournament.
The magic did not continue into this week?s Australian Open in Melbourne, however, as Anna was knocked out of the first round of the women?s singles by Katarina Srebotnik. The 99th ranked Slovenian beat Smashnova 6:2, 6:2, in what was the Israeli?s first loss after ten consecutive wins. Perhaps Anna Smashnova?s statement after winning her first match in the Canberra Women?s Classic, a match that was obviously difficult for her, can serve to explain her unfortunate loss this week in the Australian Open, ?It wasn't an easy match today, mentally it was not easy? I was not playing my best because the first round after winning is always difficult.?