It was poised to be a blockbuster clash between two of the toughest and most consistent players so far in Katowice. Camila Giorgi was up against Dominika Cibulkova and the Italian was looking for her first Katowice title in her third straight final. Leading the head-to-head 2-0, it seemed like this was her chance. However, she was made to wait as the Slovakian was on fire right from the start and claimed the Katowice Open title in straight sets.
Late Fight Back from Giorgi Not Enough as Cibulkova Takes the First Set
Right from the off, Cibulkova’s intent was clear. She was aggressive from the get go and earned an immediate break. Giorgi though was unfazed and put pressure on Cibulkova’s serve but the Slovakian hung on to consolidate for a 2-0 lead. Cibulkova was back in control dictating play from the baseline and getting herself triple break point. Giorgi was in trouble as the Slovakian broke once more, this time with a powerful forehand return winner to lead 3-0.
Cibulkova continued pulling the strings giving Giorgi little room to do any damage. The Italian finally held her game to get on board for 1-4. After getting some coaching advice from her dad, Giorgi tried to be aggressive but her errors were not helping as Cibulkova raced to a 5-1 lead. The Italian seemed to have settled in as she closed another service game to make the Slovakian serve for the set.
However, there was another twist in the match as the pressure seemed to get to Cibulkova and Giorgi was able to get one break back for 3-5. The Italian was coming back into the match and winning the longer rallies, closing out for 4-5 as the Slovakian got another chance to serve out the set. Giorgi had a chance to level the match but the net cord came to Cibulkova’s rescue. Giorgi was looking the more composed of the two earning another break back point as the Slovakian hit long. Cibulkova though unleashed a forehand winner to save it before going on to close out the set 6-4 despite Giorgi’s best efforts.
Cibulkova Blitzes Through for Her Fifth Title
The second set unfolded in a similar fashion to the first as Cibulkova got the double break for a 3-0 lead. Giorgi was unable to make a breakthrough as the Slovakian got to a 4-0 lead like in the first. Momentum was strongly on Cibulkova’s side and the pressure got to the Italian, who hit a double fault to hand the Slovakian a commanding 5-0 lead. This time round there was no late Giorgi comeback to stop the Slovakian from completing a 6-4, 6-0 victory with aplomb.
Match Statistics
Both players got in 61 percent of the first serves, with Cibulkova winning slightly more of them at 68 percent to Giorgi’s 52 percent.
The Slovakian created seven opportunities for herself and capitalized five time. Giorgi had her few chances but was only able to convert once.