By Chris Soderstrom
Australia’s Samantha Stosur failed in her bid to claim a maiden WTA singles title yesterday succumbing in three sets to top-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko in the Korea Open final.
Despite impressively winning the first set, the Australian was unable to add to her 22 doubles titles and fell 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.
The 24-year-old admitted to a lapse after securing the first set.
“I think I got a little bit passive with the way I was playing,” said the World No. 77, who has lost all four singles final appearances. “And she stepped it up a little bit and became more aggressive.”
The title was Kirilenko’s third for season after taking out the Estoril and Barcelona championships. She went one better than last year, where she was bundled out by Venus Williams in the final, and was delighted with the result.
“In the second set I started to be more concentrated, because in the first set I was out of the game. I decided to play every ball, no matter what happened, and I just started to fight,” said the No. 33.
“It worked, and I’m very happy. The last two matches were really tough for me, so I’m feeling great right now.”