Johanna Larsson Wins First Career Title on Home Soil in Bastad
In a storybook ending to an impressive week on the WTA tour, Swedish No. 1 Johanna Larsson claimed her first title on the professional tour and got the privilege of doing so in front of a boisterous hometown crowd in Bastad.
Larsson defeated Mona Barthel 6-3, 7-6(2) to win the Collector Swedish Open. She had to rally back from an early break down in the first set and later faced two more such incidents before edging past her durable opponent in straight sets.
“I’m extremely happy,” Larsson said. “I think I played really well today and I tried to concentrate on taking it point by point. Mona is playing very aggressive tennis so I think my spin really paid off.
“Coming into this tournament I had not won many matches,” the Swedish No.1 added. “But I tried to just play my game and stick with my topspin, which is my strength out there. In the end of the match I don’t know how it happened, but I won the last point, and of course that’s the most important point!
“I’m just really living in the moment right now and I’m happy with this victory today. Hopefully this can pay off later in the season, but right now I am just going to enjoy my first career WTA title.”
Not only was it Larsson’s first win in four attempts against Barthel, but it was also her first title in four final attempts over the past five years. Following a grueling wait, she became the first player this year to win both the singles and doubles titles at the same event.
