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19-year-old Russian wins Clearwater Women's Open

Regina Kulikova, who is ranked 161st in the world, defeated Yevhenila Savranska on Sunday.

By Nancy Morgan, Times Correspondent
Published February 26, 2008

CLEARWATER - Regina Kulikova of Russia overcame both a recurring abdominal injury and a stubborn opponent Sunday to win the Sheriff Jim Coats fourth annual Clearwater Women's Open.

Ranked No. 161 in the world, Kulikova beat Yevhenila Savranska of the Ukraine 6-4, 6-4 in the final match to collect $2,940 in prize money and 25 ranking points. No. 318 Savranska collected $1,666.

It was the first USTA Pro Circuit championship of the year for Kulikova, a 19-year-old from St. Petersburg in Russia. Last year, she won six Pro Circuit events despite missing five months of competition due to her injury.

"This is a good start for me because she was very tough and determined," Kulikova said of Savranska, 24, after the tournament at the McMullen Tennis Complex.

"I hadn't played her before but I soon knew I had to concentrate and continue to attack," Kulikova said. "Even when I had won the first set and was up 4-2 in the second, she played very aggressive. This win helps me learn to play for the future."

In the first set, Kulikova went up 5-2 before Savranska broke her serve. Kulikova held on to win the set.

Kulikova broke Savranska's serve to start the second set and played to a 4-1 lead. Savranska's tenacity prevailed, and she continued to challenge the Russian with serve breaks and holds to raise the score to 5-3.

Leading 40-love in the 10th game, Kulikova hit a winning overhead to punctuate the win.

Kulikova held serve all but one time in both sets, even though she said she was serving at about 50 percent due to her injury.

Normally relying on the strength of her serve, Kulikova maintained aggressive and powerful groundstrokes off both sides from the baseline.

For the next few weeks, Kulikova will rest, she said, with plans to next play a USTA Pro Circuit event in California.

[Last modified February 25, 2008, 21:45:00]