ITF W50: Tatiana Prozorova Conquers Udvardy in Thrilling Final to Claim Singles Championship

New Delhi, Jan 19 (NationPress) Tatiana Prozorova fought hard to save six match points, ultimately overcoming second seed Panna Udvardy to secure the ITF W50 singles title at the DLTA Complex on Sunday.

The seventh seed Prozorova saved three match points during the 12th game of the second set and three additional ones in the tiebreaker, forcing a decisive final set. She triumphed with a score of 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 after a grueling three-hour final filled with breaks and unforced errors from both competitors.

”I am thrilled to have won this match, saving so many points without missing any,” expressed Prozorova. “It feels great to win my first title of the year in January, and I look forward to my next tournament here in New Delhi,” she added.

This victory marked Prozorova's first singles title in four months, her last win occurring in September 2024 at the ITF W100 event in Incheon.

Udvardy was competing in her first final since June 2024, where she finished as the runner-up in the WTA 125 event on clay in Italy, and once again fell short of capturing the title.

The match started with both players exchanging early breaks, leveling at 3-3. Prozorova had opportunities to keep the match close but faltered with unforced errors. Despite being down 0-40 in game seven, she managed to save all three break points.

However, a backhand error at deuce and a long forehand allowed her opponent to break serve again.

Udvardy struggled with her first serve and also had a difficult time keeping the ball inside the lines. Despite saving four break points in game eight, she eventually lost her serve, bringing the score to 4-4.

Prozorova's subsequent service drop gave Udvardy the chance to serve for the first set, which she seized when Prozorova hit a forehand long.

Prozorova's slow start to the second set allowed Udvardy to take an early break, but the Hungarian could not maintain her lead, hitting a forehand error on a breakpoint in game six, leveling the match.

At 5-5, 30-all, Prozorova hit a wide backhand, but Udvardy failed to capitalize. Yet, she managed to break Prozorova again due to a backhand error.

As Udvardy served for the match, she faced three match points but faltered on all. When down to a breakpoint, she netted a forehand at deuce, allowing Prozorova a crucial opportunity, which she seized with a powerful backhand down-the-line winner, forcing a tiebreak.

Udvardy earned three more match points at 5-3 with a backhand winner but failed to convert, as Prozorova delivered some remarkable returns.

Ultimately, Prozorova clinched the set with a stunning backhand winner on Udvardy's return, which landed in the center of the court.

The seventh seed capitalized on a break and secured the match victory.

In doubles, India’s Ankita Raina and her British partner Naikhta Bains captured the title on Saturday.