Article for Week 08 July 2002

Casanova upsets Sanchez-Vicario in final
July 14, 2002


BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Wild card Myriam Casanova claimed her first title Sunday, beating top-seeded Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the final of the French Community Championships.

The 17-year-old Casanova, ranked No. 119, overpowered the former world No. 1 with strong returns and powerful serves.

Sanchez-Vicario dominated early, but Casanova rallied for a 6-2 in the second set and seized control of the match from her visibly tired opponent.

``I was a bit tired ... Myriam certainly had the upper hand,'' Sanchez-Vicario said.

An emotional Casanova said she had dreamed of playing Sanchez-Vicario, adding that to play her and win was ``the greatest.''

Casanova, who reached the third round at Wimbledon last month, upset No. 6 Virginia Ruano-Pascual in the semifinals and seventh-seeded Martina Muller in the quarterfinals.


View results for this tournament
Articles
  • Top-seeded Sanchez-Vicario advances in Brussels
  • Sanchez-Vicario reaches quarterfinals in Brussels
  • Sanchez-Vicario reaches semifinals
  • Sanchez-Vicario to face Casanova in Brussels final
  • Casanova upsets Sanchez-Vicario in final
  • Unseeded Casenova, 17, triumphs over Sanchez-Vicario