Aravane Rezai won the $200,000 Tournament of Champions in Bali on Sunday after the withdrawal of fellow Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.
Injury forces Bartoli withdrawal
Aravane Rezai won the $200,000 Tournament of Champions in Bali on Sunday following the withdrawal of fellow Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.
Top seed Bartoli retired with a quad injury 62 minutes into Sunday's final after she lost the first set 7-5.
The win gave Rezai a second career title after her victory at Strasbourg in May and took her past the million dollar mark in career earnings.
Bartoli had broken her compatriot to lead 3-2 but failed to serve out the set at 5-4 and was unable to convert a break point at 5-5.
Tenth seed Rezai held for 6-5 before hitting a backhand winner to earn two set points at the of end a long rally.
At that point Bartoli walked to the chair clearly in pain and on returning with her left thigh taped up, immediately double-faulted to lose the set before deciding to quit.
"It's a big surprise to finish like that, said Rezai. "I'm very sorry for her. She looks like she hurt a lot and I hope it is not a big injury."
Motivated
"I'd prefer to win in a different way, but its tennis, a lot of different things happen. I was really motivated to win here."
Rezai's victory, which was also her first win in three meetings with Bartoli, lifted the 44th ranked player into the world's top 30 for the first time.
She added: "I proved to myself I can be at a much better ranking and much better player on the tour.
"I also proved to so many people - my family, my parents, my coach, that I can do better and better."
Bartoli, who was bidding for her third title of the year after winning at Monterrey and Stanford, was runner-up at Bali three years ago when it was part of the regular WTA Tour.
"I'm crying right now, but I'm so happy to be here," she said "Aravane had a wonderful week and played some great tennis.
"My leg was hurting. I tried my best to carry on, but it was too much pain. I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish today."
