By ALLON SINAI
While there was disappointment for the Davis Cup team, one Israeli tennis star was celebrating on Sunday.
Shahar Pe'er made a triumphant return to the winner's circle after a three year absence, defeating Italy's Alberta Brianti 6-3, 6-4 to win the Guangzhou Open in China, her fourth career title.
The 22-year-old's first three WTA Tour titles came at Pattaya City, Prague and Istanbul in 2006, with Pe'er only reaching one more tour final since, losing to Venus Williams at Memphis in February 2007.
"I am very happy that I won a tournament. I waited for this for a very long time, and I went through some hard times," said Pe'er, who won the event without losing a set and is now expected to move back into the world's top-50 from her current ranking of 57.
"I feel like I have been playing well for a long time and that I am on the right path. I hope to take a lot from this week and keep the momentum going through the end of the year and into next year."
Brianti (85) claimed the first two games of the final, but Pe'er reeled off the next five games and never looked back.
"It was a very tough match. I was a little nervous, and it was very, very hot," said Pe'er, who got to the final by beating China's Peng Shuai, who withdrew in the second set of the semis with a wrist injury.
"My serve worked well, and after a slow start, I felt like I was in control of the match."
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store