Beck tops Zahlavova Strycova to win at Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG (AP) — Annika Beck of Germany won her first career title Saturday after beating fourth-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-1 in the Luxembourg Open final.

The 20-year-Beck, who is ranked 60th and was playing in her second final after finishing runner-up here last year, did not drop a set throughout the tournament.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win my first WTA title. I played the final last year and I said I’d do anything to win the title this year,” Beck said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to actually do it. I enjoyed every moment I had on the center court.”

She broke Zahlavova Strycova’s shaky serve seven times and saved all five break-point chances on her own serve in the second set as her opponent tried to claw back into the match.

“I’m sad today, but overall it was a great, great week. I was playing well,” Zahlavova Strycova said. “I had my chances today, too. Unfortunately I couldn’t take them.”

Playing in her fifth final, the 31st-ranked Zahlavova Strycova was seeking her second career title after her only success at Quebec City three years ago.

But she was let down by her serve, double-faulting four times and winning less than half of her first-serve points. Beck also beat her at the same tournament two years ago.

Both players struggled badly on their second serves, however, with Beck winning only a measly 14 percent of second-serve points compared to 20 percent for her 28-year-old opponent.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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