France’s Aravane Rezai won the final Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament of the 2009 tennis season on Sunday.
Rezai captured her second career title after her countrywoman Marion Bartoli retired after losing the opening set 7-5.
The match was the first all-French final since Amelie Mauresmo defeated Mary Pierce for the Paris Indoors title in February 2006.
It was a competitive encounter between the two countrywomen before Bartoli was forced to quit after the first set because of a left quad strain.
“It’s a big surprise to finish like that and I’m very sorry for her,” said Rezai, who broke the $1-million career prize money mark after winning her first round robin match in Bali. “She looks like she hurt a lot and I hope it is not a big injury.”
“My leg was hurting and I tried my best to carry on, but it was too much pain,” said Bartoli after the match. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to finish today.”
Rezai’s win gave her an additional $200,000 dollars to spend during the off-season.
“Winning here means so many things for myself. I proved to myself I can be at a much better ranking and much better player on the tour, and also prove to so many people, my family, my parents, my coach, that I can do better and better,” added Rezai.
It’s a great shame that it had to end in retirement, but I’m not sorry to see the sweet Aravane Rezaï with the trophy!