Vesnina Nabs First Career Title in Hobart

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Vesnina Nabs First Career Title in Hobart

By Chris Oddo

(January 12, 2013) -- Russian Elena Vesnina defeated defending champion Mona Barthel to win the Moorilla Hobart International, 6-3, 6-4.

The victory marks the 26-year-old’s first final victory in seven tries. Vesnina, a three-time Grand Slam doubles finalist, had fallen short in Auckland and New Haven (2009), Istanbul and Tashkent (2010), Charleston (2011) and Budapest (2012).

Vesnina only dropped one set this week in Hobart in a run that saw her knock off three seeds.

She took control of the match with a 5-game run from 3-2 down to take the first set and grab the upper hand in the second set against barthel, who had won 12 straight matches in Hobart. In 2012 Barthel qualified to take the title, defeating Yanina Wickmayer in the final.

"From the first match I was playing well all week, and I just had to keep it going,” said Vesnina. “I feel such relief right now, honestly I just want to cry.

Vesnina won 19 of 27 first serve points and saved 2 of 4 break points against Barthel. She will head to Melbourne where she will face Caroline Garcia of France in round one.

Barthel, seeded No. 32 in Melbourne, will face Ksenia Pervak in round one.

(Photo Credit: Hobart International)