#4 Tsvetana Pironkova: Sydney Championship Match 2014
Only very keen tennis followers would know Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, one of the most erratic and unpredictable player on the WTA Tour. The former Wimbledon semifinalist has been noted for her ”cerebral” grass court skills, owing to her stunning runs deep into the tournament on more than one occasion. She is one of the most constant faces to appear in Grand Slam tournaments, as she holds the second longest active streak of most consecutive appearances at majors at 45.
However, Pironkova’s big breakthrough came at a premier level hard court tournament in Sydney, at the 2014 Apia International. Having come through qualifying, Pironkova notched up three straight top-10 victories against the versatile veteran Sara Errani, the hard-hitting Petra Kvitova, and the future world no. 1 Angelique Kerber, to win her first WTA title, twelve years after her debut on tour.
“Mom, Dad we finally have a trophy,” exclaimed Pironkova in an emotional post-match ceremony, with her parents among the onlookers. A true tale of the victory of the hard work and perseverance of one of the most committed and wonderful players on the ladies tour.
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