Miss Myskina gets her share in the City of Joy

Later in the evening, the Russian was crowned the doubles champion too, partnering countrywoman Elena Likhovtseva. The former world No 2 played nowhere close to her best but still toyed with all her opponents.

Karolina Sprem was the victim today and her third defeat in as many finals surely would have hurt the Croat. However, she was gracious in defeat and said she was happy with her performance over the week.

“Myskina really played well today and deserved to win. I broke her a few times but couldn’t hold my serve. I’m not disappointed, she is just a great player,” Sprem said.

Myskina, on the other hand, maintained that the victory wasn’t easy. “I really got nervous in the second set. I said to myself if she holds I will be in trouble,” she said.

The Russian raced to a 4-0 lead as unforced errors flowed from the Croat’s racquet. Sprem then put her game together and helped by a double fault from the Russian, broke Myskina to debut on the scoreboard. She then slammed two aces in a row to hold her serve for the first time in the sixth game of the first set.

That was the end of all happiness for the Croat as Myskina quietly pocketed the set breaking Sprem for the third time when a backhand off the latter’s racquet sailed long. Both players traded breaks of serve till the fourth game of the second set. The Croatian, however, failed to capitalise thereafter as Myskina won four straight games to clinch the title.

The victory could see Myskina return to the top 10 when the rankings are released next week. The Russian admitted that the win here was very special considering the slump in her form last year.

“The win here would give me a lot of confidence going into the European indoor season,” she said. Myskina surely will be not forgotten by the older Uberoi.

Having been given a few lessons on the game during their singles match earlier in the week, Shikha found the Russian equally devastating during their doubles match.

The Uberoi sisters’ dream run ended as they were mauled by the top seeded Russian pair, winning just one in the entire match.