By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 24, 2022
The Romanian captured her first title since 2017 by defeating Lucia Bronzetti.
Photo Source: Tennis Channel
There will be no first-time winners on the WTA this week, but for Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu, it probably feels like the first time.
The 31-year-old Bucharest native captured her first title in five years on Sunday in Palermo, defeating first-time finalist Lucia Bronzetti, 6-2, 6-2.
Bronzetti was on home soil, but Begu enjoyed the Sicilian capital as well.
“For me Palermo is a really special place,” said Begu after the final, “because I have a part of the family here.”
Begu, a former World No.22 needed just one hour and 32 minutes to complete her conquest of the 23-year-old World No.78. She dominated Bronzetti’s second serve, winning 11 of 14 second-serve return points and breaking six times on 12 opportunities.
Career singles title no. 5! 🏆Sixth seed 🇷🇴 @irina_begu secures the Palermo Ladies Open title, defeating Bronzetti 6-2, 6-2! #PLO22 pic.twitter.com/veAq2LG4e9
— wta (@WTA) July 24, 2022
Begu hit 24 winners against 20 unforced errors, while Bronzetti only managed 11 winners against 29 unforced.
Begu had to make a quick recovery to rise to the title, after finishing a three hour and 12-minute semifinal victory over Sara Sorribes Tormo at 1:40 AM on Saturday.
Begu, currently ranked 45, improves to 21-12 on the season and 11-4 on clay, while Bronzetti drops to 12-12 and 7-5 on clay.
Anna Bondar and Kimberley Zimmerman defeated Amina Anshba and Panna Udvardy, 6-3, 6-2, to take the doubles title in Palermo.