Cabrera goes back-to-back in Brisbane
Local favourite Lizette Cabrera has taken out Brisbane on Sunday, making it consecutive titles on the Australian Pro Tour.
Brisbane QLD, Australia, 2 October 2016 | David Packman
Lizette Cabrera has won her hometown title in Brisbane on Sunday, making it two Pro Tour titles in as many weeks after her recent success in Tweed Heads.
The in-form teenager defeated seventh seed Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia 6-2 6-4 in just over an hour, capping off a stellar tournament in which she did not drop a single set.
“It was really great to play and win at the facility I train at. Having my family here also made it special,” Cabrera said. “I’m obviously really happy with the win and that I was able to back up from last week.
“Title number two, it’s good. Hopefully I can keep going.”
With both players coming into the final on nine-match winning streaks – Kuzmova having won a title in Texas – Cabrera was clearly the dominant player, opening up 12 break point opportunities with a sublime display on return.
“I went out there today and I was really tough mentally again,” she said. “I returned well too which helped me because I knew she could be a tough opponent. I came up with what I needed to do.”
Unseeded this week, Cabrera also recorded wins over fifth seed Dalma Galfi from Hungary and American sixth seed Jennifer Elie, but despite the purple patch and a new career high ranking inside the world’s top 350, she remains focused on the bigger picture.
“It really doesn’t change anything for me,” Cabrera said. “I came into these tournaments wanting to go deep and now I’ve won two titles, but it stays the same. I’ve got to think long term, keep taking care of my body and keep fighting every time I go out onto the court.”
Qualifiers Naiktha Bains and Abigail Tere-Apisah edged out Israeli Julia Glushko and Liu Fangzhou of China to take out the doubles title.
It was a breakout week for Papua New Guinean Tere-Apisah who also qualified for the singles event before making an unexpected run to the semifinals.
Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available at www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores and for a live stream of selected events visit www.tennis.com.au/protour.