On Sunday, 14th February, second edition of 10 000 USD tournament, EMPIRE Women’s Indoor 2016, has concluded with the final match played in TC EMPIRE Trnava. Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Karolina Muchova from Czech Republic in two straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
SINGLES FINAL VIDEO DOUBLES FINAL VIDEO EMPIRE WOMEN'S INDOOR 2016 PHOTO GALLERY
Final match between second seed Alexandrova and fourth seed Muchova lasted 72 minutes. Russian player was the more convincing from the two. "I felt really well during the game, I have made some good shots. It has to be said, opponent was tough, even in second set. She started playing with more stability. She has very dangerous serve, it was difficult for me to return. She played good game, I want to congratulate her for that. All the matches against her were tough so far. I am glad I made it in the end," said the winner.
Alexandrova speaks Czech, because she lives and trains in Prague, in TK Spoje club, where she is coached by her father Evgenyi and Petr Kralert. "I am there eight years already. They have lot of courts, great conditions for tennis. I decided to stay in Prague for that reason," said Russian.
Muchova lost even the second head to head match against Alexandrova on ITF circuit, after falling short last year in Czech Prerov (2-6, 4-6). "I have made number of unforced errors, it did not go my way today. I expected better performance from myself. My opponent has played well, she was going for the winners and I helped her with my errors," said Muchova. She made a great comeback yesterday in the semi-final against Slovakian Skamlova, to overcome her after being 1-5 down in the third set. "I was bit stiffed today, but that is not an excuse for losing the final."
Oto Majba, tournament director of EMPIRE Women’’s Indoor 2016, commented on nine days of women’s tennis in Trnava. "It was a very successful week from our point of view. We are glad we had nine Slovakian players in the main draw, and twelve Czech players. Many fans attended the matches, some matches were great to watch, lot of them dramatic, played over three sets. I will mention first round match between Lenka Jurikova and number one seed Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani. Lenka also played good match in quarterfinals against Chantal Skamlova,“ added Majba.
Skamlova with Jani take the doubles title
Doubles title of EMPIRE Women’s Indoor was decided between pairs from Slovakia-Hungary Skamlova/Jani and Czecho-Slovakian pair Malikova/Jurikova. Jani with Skamlova won the doubles title after dramatic win 6-3, 2-6, 10-7. "For me it was very difficult to go out on court after losing the singles semi-final, I was winning 5-1 in the third set. I tried not to give up the fight mentally in doubles but I did not have a good match. I am glad, we still had won it, Reka played well in the deciding moments," said Skamlova after the doubles final and she added her evaluation of the whole tournament. "I am disappointed , I wanted to make the singles final. Especially tournament played at home. When I saw the list of signed players for the tournament, I thought it is like 25K tournament,” concluded Skamlova.
Singles winner Ekaterina Alexandrova and runner-up Karolina Muchova:
Doubles finalits at the EMPIRE Women's Indoor 2016 together with organizers (Photo: Ivan Kopcani):
