Belgian Rising Star Hanne Vandewinkel Triumphs at ITF Pune Championships
In a display of skill and resilience, 21-year-old Belgian tennis sensation Hanne Vandewinkel secured a hard-fought victory at the $60,000 ITF women's tennis championships held at Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Saturday. She defeated the experienced Russian player Tatiana Prozorova with scores of 7-6 (0), 7-6 (5) in the final, capturing her 11th career title and first at the $60K level.
Strategic Coaching Partnership with Kirsten Flipkens
Vandewinkel's success was significantly influenced by her coaching collaboration with former world no. 13 and compatriot Kirsten Flipkens. Flipkens, known for her crafty playing style and signature slice shots rather than raw power, reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2013. Now 40 and retired from professional play for two years, she has transitioned into coaching, briefly guiding Karolina Muchova before taking on Vandewinkel.
"I think she has added value. Also because the way she plays is a bit similar, or, I play similar to her," Vandewinkel remarked with a grin after the match. She emphasized the importance of Flipkens' technical expertise, especially against opponents who lack powerful strokes. "You have to find a bit of a different way to beat these girls who don't really have the big strokes. So yeah, it's important to have someone who knows how to technically win matches," she added.
Critical Moments and Match Dynamics
The match showcased Vandewinkel's ability to perform under pressure. In the second set, while serving at 5-6, she faced a daunting 0-40 deficit. Demonstrating composure, the Bree native won the next 12 consecutive points to clinch the set, a turnaround she credited to her serving prowess. "I felt like in the rally, she was just a better player, so I had to go for my serve. And out of the last eight or nine first serves, I made them all," Vandewinkel explained. "I just played some very high quality serving tennis. That's what I needed to do, because she was smacking the ball on the rallies, and I was just really on my back foot every single time in the rally."
Prozorova, the defending champion, took a medical timeout for a hip strain early in the second set and immediately broke Vandewinkel's serve upon resumption to lead 2-0. Vandewinkel acknowledged this challenge, stating, "My serve was not so good in the first game of the second set. If you hit second serves, she attacks it, and you're immediately in a defensive position. So just credit to her." She stressed the importance of staying close on the scoreboard, noting, "It was really important for me to stay with her and to not let her have a big gap, because she's a very good front runner."
Climactic Finish and Crowd Engagement
As temperatures rose, Vandewinkel aimed to keep rallies short, holding her own from the baseline and eventually leveling the score at 4-4. Prozorova's aggressive backhand crosses and delicate drop shots thrilled the approximately 200 spectators, adding to the match's intensity. Vandewinkel earned a match point when Prozorova served at 4-5, 30-40, but the Russian held firm.
In the decisive tiebreak, Vandewinkel trailed 3-5 before elevating her game to win crucial points and secure the championship. This victory is expected to boost her WTA singles ranking to 128, adding to her previous WTA 125K trophy from Mexico last year.
Implications for Vandewinkel's Career
This win underscores Vandewinkel's potential as a rising star in women's tennis, with Flipkens' mentorship playing a pivotal role in her development. The partnership highlights how strategic coaching can enhance a player's technical skills and match-winning abilities, particularly in high-stakes tournaments. As Vandewinkel continues to climb the rankings, her performance in Pune sets a promising precedent for future competitions on the international circuit.
