PIRACICABA/STARNBERG, October 18, 2021
What a fairytale run! After almost three years without competing in a professional tennis tournament, unranked Miriana Tona of Italy clinched her first career title on the ITF Pro Circuit by winning the Copa Feminina de Tênis ITF World Tennis Tour W15 clay-court event in Piracicaba, Brazil.
In her first singles final on the Pro Circuit, Tona defeated No. 3 seed Luisa Meyer auf der Heide from Germany 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday after one hour and 23 minutes.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t explain my feeling now, I’m very happy,” said Tona, who needed to save three match points in the first round against No. 5 seed Solana Sierra from Argentina. Over the week, the 26-year-old showed more and more consistency and didn’t give away more than three games in each match.
Tona, who was not sure tennis was the perfect fit, earned 10 WTA Ranking points and will make her return to the list of the best players on the planet. In the Brazilian state of São Paulo, the former World No. 677 played her first tournament since falling to Giorgia Marchetti in the opening round on home soil at Santa Margherita di Pula in September 2019.
“This title is unexpected. It’s my first tournament in almost three years and even though I’ve been away from the circuit for so long I think I’m playing my best tennis. It’s very special to me. I want to thank the organization, everyone who came to support us this week and also my mother and my two coaches,” Tona added.
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Tona’s road to the title win:
First round: d. [5] Solana Sierra (ARG) 4/6 6/4 7/6(4)
Second round: d. Ana Candiotto (BRA) 6/3 6/0
Quarterfinal: d. Fernanda Astete (CHI) 6/1 6/1
Semifinal: d. [4] Sabastiani Leon (EUA) 6/1 6/2
Final: d. [3] Luisa Heide (GER) 6/1 6/2
