Finally the bell tolls for Julia
Win continues a remarkable streak for the 29-year-old
Such a moment has been a long time coming for Julia Goerges in Auckland. The German prevailed in the ASB Classic final yesterday, defeating Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 7-6 (4) in a clinical display. But it’s been a long haul. The first time she came to Auckland Jacinda Ardern was entering her second year in Parliament, Beauden Barrett yet to play for Taranaki and the Apple iPhone was only three years old.
That was 2010. After eight years, 23 matches, one previously unsuccessful finals appearance, two semifinal exits and one quarter-final, Goerges could finally claim the ASB Classic title.
“It means quite a lot, I must say,” said Goerges. “I’ve been very consistent in this tournament over the past few years and it’s nice to finally get this trophy.”
It continues a remarkable streak for the 29-year-old. Goerges is now unbeaten in 14 consecutive matches on the WTA tour, having not lost since early October last year.
In that time she has claimed tournaments in Russia, China and New Zealand, but takes a step by step approach.
“In the next days the work will start again — it doesn’t mean anything for you in the next event.”
Goerges was dominant throughout yesterday, in tricky conditions.
Wozniacki threatened a comeback late in the second set, breaking back to take the match to a tie break, but the German always looked more likely.
She was aggressive from the outset, and it paid off. When she did get into trouble — which was rare — she generally served her way out of it.
Wozniacki struggled to find her range. She was off with her timing, and the result continued her poor recent record in finals, with only two successes in her last nine deciders.
Coming into the final, Goerges had had the more convincing week. She fended off the challenge of 2016 Olympic champion Monica Puig in the first round, and got better with every match, by far the standout player in the double-up session on Saturday.
Wozniacki demolished Madison Brengle and Petra Martic in the early rounds, but then struggled to put away wildcard Sofia Kenin and qualifier Sachia Vickery on Saturday, who are both ranked outside the top 100.
Much of the final was an obvious contrast. One player (Goerges) in redhot form, and the other (Wozniacki) still trying to find her best. The 29-year-old displayed an astonishing repertoire of shots, with a beautiful backhand winner down the line one of the shots of the week.
Goerges was swinging freely. She gave up some errors, but also kept hitting the lines, with depth pushing Wozniacki back.
But leading 4-3 in the second set, Goerges wobbled. Two double faults gave Wozniacki a break point, which she took with a clean winner.
Wozniacki then held — surviving two break points — and the set progressed to a tiebreak.
But Goerges always had the ascendancy in the tie breaker, and clinched the title on her first match point, with a forehand winner.