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Petrova downs Schnyder in Charleston final

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-17 11:30

CHARLESTON - Second seed Nadia Petrova survived both Patty Schnyder and searing heat on Sunday to claim her second title on U.S. green clay in as many weeks and her biggest career win.

Petrova with her 6-3 4-6 6-1 triumph of power over finesse won her first Tier I title and broke into the top five of the WTA Tour rankings for the first time. She will be number five when the rakings are issued on Monday.

"I feel my game is taking another level," said the 23-year-old Russian, who won last week at Amelia Island. "I'm really looking forward to the red clay."

Petrova required medical attention during a second-set break while leading 6-3 1-2. A trainer took her blood pressure and pulse and applied an ice pack to her neck and legs.

She recovered to place herself among the Roland Garros favourites after becoming the first player since Conchita Martinez in 1995 to sweep the two U.S. clay court tournaments in the same year. Petrova reached the French Open semi-finals last year, losing to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Schnyder had advanced to the final with a three-set victory over top seed and defending champion Henin-Hardenne, on her day the world's best clay court player. It was Schnyder's first victory in seven matches against the Belgian and assured her of a move from number nine to number eight.

"I could feel (the heat) but I could run and I would have been ready to go for one more hour or have tough rallies in a row," said the 27-year-old Swiss top spinner.

"But I missed too many balls and I could not handle the pressure because her strokes are so powerful and very deep."

Schnyder in her four previous Family Circle Cup appearances had made one final in 2002 and two semi-finals.