Estoril Open 2004 News and Events

Emilie Loit with the Estoril Open trophy
© Joao Lagos Sports

Emilie Loit of France claimed her second title in as many weeks after defeating Czech Iveta Benesova 7-5, 7-6(1) in the final of the Estoril Open.

Loit, who captured her first career title last week in Casablanca, has now won her last 10 matches on the WTA Tour. Loit, the World No. 33, took 1 hour, 51 minutes to claim the title, despite a terrific comeback by the 21-year-old Benesova.

"It has been two spectacular weeks," said Loit. "It's been my Grand Slam. I didn't think I could win, but I really tried to. I'm very happy with what I have achieved, it's the result of all the work I've been doing the past few weeks."

Loit, who lost to her fellow left-hander Benesova in their last meeting in Acapulco - where the Czech went on to capture her first WTA Tour title - led 4-1 in the first and second sets only for Benesova to force her way back on both occasions.

Benesova won four games in a row to serve for the first set, and after missing that chance, tried to take the set into a tie-break at 5-6. But Loit broke at a crucial time to take the opener, and then broke in the second game of the second set before opening up a 3-0 lead.

Despite the rain falling at the Estadio Nacional, Benesova, the World No. 60 at the start of the week, again clawed her way back into the set, breaking to get back on terms in the seventh game and twice served for the set at 5-4 and 6-5.

But the 24-year-old Loit kept her composure to take the set into a tie-break, which she dominated to open up a 6-0 lead. She completed her victory on her second match point as Benesova sent a forehand wide.

"Technically, today I wasn't so good," said Loit. "Yesterday was a lot better. I didn't play my best tennis but I was so confident that I felt that I can win the title. Normally it would have been easier to win after the first one, but today's final was very though. I had a lot of stress at 4-1, felt the pressure, but then it turned out to be that I was very tired.

"Physically I'm extremely tired. I will need a couple of days to get rest. But that's normal, because when you're winning you don't think about fatigue. Now it's time to recover."

Looking ahead to Roland Garros next month, Loit added: "En route to Roland Garros, if I achieve good results until then I can make something happen there. I'm still out of the seeded players, but that will depend on my next results. If I get seeded at Roland Garros it will be easier, but if not I'm going to get there with the same preparation to try and do some good things."

Benesova said: "It was a tough match today. I was down 4-1 in both sets and came back to serve for both sets but I couldn't hold. I wasn't aggressive enough. But I have to give credit to Emilie, she played really well on the big points.

"It's a bit disappointing to lose such a close match, but I've played good tennis and improved the whole week, so it's been a great tournament for me."