Medina Garrigues clinches Canberra International title

Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain won her fifth Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title last night defeating Korea’s Yoon Jeong Cho in the final of the Richard Luton Properties Canberra International.

In a tough three set match, the tournament top seed had to dig deep against the tenacious Cho, before winning 6-4, 0-6, 6-4.

It was Medina Garrigues third three set match of the tournament, including an epic 3hrs 30min semi-final against Israeli Shahar Peer, which was the ninth longest match in WTA Tour history.

"I am very happy but very tired also," Medina Garrigues said. "When you are seeded No.1 every other player wants to beat you. I have had some tough matches so that makes it good to win."

Medina Garrigues admitted she feared the title was slipping away as Cho surged through the second set.

"At 0-6 I felt like I didn’t want to stay on court," Medina Garrigues said.

"But then I relaxed and I said to myself ‘okay Anabel, play like you can and if you lose it doesn’t matter’. Then I start to play better."

Medina Garrigues said her fifth tour title gave her plenty of confidence leading into the Australian Open next week.

"I am confident, if you win a tournament you should be confident, but I also know I must fight for every match," Medina Garrigues said.

While disappointed to lose Cho said she too would take confidence from her performance.

"I am disappointed because I had a chance to win the tournament," Cho said. "(But) It was a good match and I felt like the crowd was lifting me. It is disappointing, but this is still a good result for me to take the top seed to three sets like this."

After winning the second set Cho held her serve to open the third before Medina Garrigues got back on track.

"I don’t think I was nervous, but in the third set I was tired and I started to lose confidence," Cho said.

It was Cho’s third appearance in a WTA Tour final, but her first since 2003 when she had jaw surgery which stalled her career. She will play Kim Clijsters in the opening round at Melbourne Park.

It was Medina Garrigues fifth title adding to wins in Palermo (2001, 2004, 2005) and Strasbourg (2005).