Maiden title for Duque Marino
02/21/2010 11:52:30 PM
Mariana Duque Marino clinched her first WTA Tour title with a straight-sets success over Germany's Angelique Kerber in the Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas final in her home city of Bogota.
Duque Marino, the world No.143, defeated fifth-seeded German Kerber 6-4 6-3 to become the first Colombian to win a WTA Tour singles title since Fabiola Zuluaga in 2004.
The 20-year-old's best Tour result before this week was a quarter-final finish in this competition two years ago.
A delighted Duque Marino said afterwards: "It was a difficult match in both sets. Playing a final is never easy for every reason - physically, mentally ... so, I'm proud I was able to win today."
"I was disappointed with how I performed here last year and I worked so hard over the last year."
"Coming into this season I didn't think I would win a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title so this has been incredible. I ran so much. The hard work paid off."