Dokic clinches Princess Cup

TOKYO, SEPT. 23. Jelena Dokic won her second career title when she knocked out Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the singles final at the Princess Cup tennis tournament on Sunday.

The 18-year-old from Yugoslavia, who posted her first tour victory at the Italian Open in May, used her dangerous forehand in full swing to score a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Spanish fifth seed.

``I've been here for a few years and it's great to win here. I had a great week and hopefully I can come back next year and defend my title,'' said Dokic.

``I won my first title this year in May, that was a very big tournament for me. To win the second title in the same year in my career is great. I'm really happy with the way this year has gone.''

Dokic hit two double faults and gave a 30-40 break chance to Sanchez-Vicario in the second game of the first set, which she fended off with her power-packed forehand.

She soon stormed into top gear, firing numerous unstoppable winners from the baseline and breaking the fifth game to get ahead 3-2. She then never looked back.

Dokic had to save two more break points in the fourth game of the second set and another three when she was serving for the match at 5-2, but she never allowed Sanchez-Vicario to capitalise on them.

Dokic converted three out of six break points. ``I wasn't calm. I was very nervous today, coming into this match, because I knew I would have a chance to win, it would have been great to win my second title, and I really wanted to win today,'' said Dokic.

``I've just been very confident this week and that's what got me through,'' added Dokic, currently ranked at her career highest of 11th against former World No. 1's 19th.

``My goal this year was originally top 15, but I've played really well this year and I'd really like to finish top 10. I have a great chance to do that. But whatever happens, I've had a great year and I'm happy with myself,'' she added.

With the 70-minute win, Dokic, seeded third here, tied her head- to-head record against Sanchez-Vicario at three all, winning the last three encounters in a row at Hamburg and US Open this year.

It was also her third appearance in the finals in her career, following the Italian Open and her runner-up finish at the Brazilian Open a week ago. She collected the winner's cheque of $90,000.

Sanchez-Vicario, the winner here in 1994 and runner-up four times previously, received $48,000.

- AFP

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