Summary Mona Barthel beat Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the Open GDF Suez final.
Unseeded Mona Barthel of Germany won her second career title Sunday, upsetting top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the Open GDF Suez final.
The seventh-ranked Errani was a heavy favorite as she chased her seventh career title and first this year, but the 45th-ranked Barthel continued her good form after beating fifth-seeded Roberta Vinci and No. 3 Marion Bartoli on her way to the final.
Barthel aggressive style saw her mix 53 winners with 50 unforced errors and she clinched the victory with a forehand winner. Her previous title came at Hobart, Australia, in January last year, where she came through the qualifiers.
"This was such a great week for me. I didn t expect to win this tournament," Barthel said. "When I got to the final I knew it would be tough, because Sara had such an amazing year last year and is playing so well."
Errani s four titles last year came on clay, however, and she is now 1-3 in hardcourt finals and 6-5 overall in title matches.
"Mona serves so well, plays so well from the baseline and physically moves so well. I just couldn t beat her today," Errani said. "I usually like to have more time to place the ball where I want, but I was on the limit today, particularly on my serve."
