(2023) Alexandrova: ‘Winning two years in a row is very special’

After a fantastic final of 2 hours and 52 minutes against first seed Veronika Kudermetova, it was Ekaterina Alexandrova who won Libéma Open 2023 to her name. So the fourth seed successfully defended her title.

‘I am SO relieved that it is over. It was such a long match and unpredictable day,’ the delighted two-time champion announced after the rain-soaked final match.

The 28-year-old Alexandrova was put under intense pressure by her opponent for a long time. ‘Veronika played insanely and at the beginning simply too well. I didn’t stand a chance in the first set and she was very strong in the second set as well. The third set was so close that the outcome was determined by a few points here and there’.

A tiebreak had to bring decision, as Alexandrova left three match points unused. ‘When the match points came and went I thought for a moment that I missed my chance to win and I gave the match away. So many thoughts were going through my head. I tried not to listen to them and stay calm,’ the world number 26 explained.

‘Winning two years in a row is very special. When I arrived here last week, I was not in my best form and worried that I would not be able to show my level of last year. One thing is for sure: next year I will be there again!’