By Erik Gudris | Sunday, April 6, 2014

 

Andrea Petkovic entered this week unsure of a new approach to her game. But the German is all smiles after claiming the biggest title of her career at the Family Circle Cup.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

Andrea Petkovic of Germany overcame early nerves and a determined surprise finalist to win the Family Circle Cup title.

Petkovic faced off against 20-year-old Jana Cepelova of Slovakia in Sunday's final under overcast skies in Charleston. Cepelova, who upset top seed Serena Williams, maintained her form to reach her first ever career WTA final.

Despite admitting later to some early nerves, Petkovic jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening set. Cepelova recovered with strong hitting and good defense from the backcourt to level the score. With a massive backhand winner, Cepelova would then take the lead for 4-3.

Up 5-4, Cepelova threatened Petkovic's next service game. Despite holding a set point at 30-40, Cepelova would net her next shot during a rally. More untimely errors from an agitated Cepelova allowed Petkovic to get back into the set for 5-all.

The mixture of Cepelova's inexperience plus Petkovic's experience proved a key turning point. The calmer, focused Petkovic broke Cepelova in the next game and then, with a backhand winner, closed out the set 7-5.

Cepelova double faulted down break point to hand Petkovic an early lead in the second set. Though Cepelova amazed the crowd with several stellar drop shot winners, Petkovic would display fine touch as well in response. With more winners flying off of her racquet, Petkovic raced out to a 5-0 lead. Cepelova steadied her game long enough to break Petkovic and hold serve on her own for 5-2.

Petkovic would not let the next chance to win the title slip away. Riding out to a 40-0 lead, Petkovic soon closed out the 7-5, 6-2 victory.

Charleston is now the third and biggest title of Petkovic's career.

"I'm so impressed that you did this all by yourself," Petkovic said to Cepelova who traveled alone to Charleston during the trophy ceremony. "I look forward to many more matches with you but don't beat me," Petkovic said with her trademark humor.

"My start was not good," Cepelova said about the match. "I had quickly 3-0 down, but I tried to keep my game, and it was 4-3 for me, 5-4 it was a little bit better, I think, but I had set point and my forehand was not good, and then I know she is a great player, and you know, it's tough to play for me today because I was a little bit tired from other matches, you know. But I tried to fight, but she's a great player. She was better today."

When asked to describe herself in one word, Cepelova said, "Fighter."

Petkovic proved a popular champion for the tournament as her father played tennis for the University of South Carolina. Petkovic also earned herself a special "super fan" who shouted words of encouragement using the nickname "AP" that quickly caught on for other fans.

Though normally she keeps her wristbands after important wins, Petkovic showed her appreciation by tossing one up to her super fan after the match.

Petkovic feels the difference for her this week was a recent change in coaches and a mentality in how she approaches the game.

"I couldn't be relying on my fitness only anymore like I used to before," Petkovic said. "And so I made these changes, and I changed coaches, and I worked on it very hard and tried to become more of a tennis player and not only a tennis worker, you know, and I think there's still a long way to go for me, and I still have a lot of potential to improve it, but I think I'm on the right track, and that's my big goal for the next years is becoming more of a player and less of a worker."

And how will Petkovic celebrate who admitted she is ready to go home after nine weeks on the road?

"I'm going to have champagne and I don't even drink champagne, but I'm just going to have it for the heck of it in the airplane," Petkovic said with a laugh." I'm going to get drunk. I never get drunk on the airplane. That's what I'm going to do, and I'm going to walk around and dance with the cabin attendants. That's what I'm going to do."

Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova won the doubles title.