In one of the biggest upsets of the 2007 tennis season, France’s Virginie Razzano rallied today from a set down to capture the AIG Japan Open Tennis Championships title over Venus Williams in Tokyo.
Razzano, who won her first Tour title last week at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open, defeated Williams in three sets 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4.
I saw the match last night on The Tennis Channel. It was strange seeing Venus choke up 6-3 in the tiebreak.
Saved some break point in the second, won 1-0, got her thigh wrapped…and the match was all about breaks until 5-4 when Razzano served it out.
Nick, I didn’t know that the match was on TTC last night! Rats, I would have stayed up and watched it!
Oh well, guess I need to pay better attention to the TV listings :)
You know what I was surprised too, i turned it on and there it was.
Both Men’s semifinal matches were on too after the Women’s Final. But it was like 2AM so I was sleeping, but TTC always reairing matches so don’t worry!
I can say I’m genuinely shocked by this. I wonder if Venus will still play in Bangkok?
They should of ordered the Gasquet match before the women’s final though so I could see it last night before I slept. I was also surprised they put this match on TTC.
Good question about Bangkok Richard. Playing a full schedule of Tier III’s and IV’s is fine and good, but if Venus wants to pick up enough points to qualify for Madrid, she’ll have make the most of every single opportunity.
The other main contenders for the final couple of berths are Anna C, Serena, Maria, and Daniela – all of whom will be favored to grab big points at Moscow and/or Zurich.
I admire her commitment to the smaller tourneys, but if I were her, I’d seriously consider asking for a wildcard into Zurich.
Maybe I’m giving Venus too much credit as a business person, but I think the Tier IIIs and IV in Asia is because of the Eleven clothing line. She’s taking advantage of promoting her clothing line to a large population. If this is the reason, great idea, V.
I think her leads over Hantuchova and Petrova are too great for either to overcome at this point with or without Zurich.
Please Venus, continue wearing your hair ala natural. It is wonderful. I just saw a picture where Venus was signing autographs for the Bangkok open.