COMMACK, New York, 30 August 2004 — Luis Horna ended the unbeaten Long Island reign of two-time champion Paradorn Srichaphan, outlasting him 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 to advance to the final of the $380,000 ATP event here Saturday.
Horna, of Peru and the world No. 64, overcame a sluggish start to upset Srichaphan and hand him his first defeat in three years at the country club venue in two hours, 25 minutes.
Srichaphan, of Thailand, owned a 13-match winning streak on his way to taking the 2002 and 2003 titles here. But more than 40 unforced errors and a fightback from Horna spelled the difference on a humid night.
Srichaphan saved one of three match points he faced with his 11th ace, and salvaged another from Horna’s error. But the Asian ace hit long on a forehand to lose.
The 23-year-old Horna was to faces a tough test in yesterday’s final when he runs up against the in-form Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who advanced 6-3, 1-0 when injured Russian opponent Dimitry Tursunov retired with a back injury.
Russian Bovina Defeats Dechy of France
In New Haven, Connecticut, seventh-seeded Russian Elena Bovina ended a two year drought when she defeated Nathalie Dechy, of France, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, on Saturday in the final of the WTA tournament.
Bovina broke Dechy, the eighth seed, in the 12th. game of the third set to close out the match and earn the $93,000 first prize.
It was her third WTA tour title and first since Quebec City in 2002.
“It’s been an amazing week for me,” Bovina said. “I never thought one time that I could win the tournament. It’s not that I didn’t believe in myself, it’s just I was playing every day, day after day, match after match, that I never even thought of myself getting to the final.”
Likhovtseva Ends Drought to Win Forest Hills Title
Top seed Russian Elena Likhovtseva had a big smile on her face when she defeated Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-2 to win the Forest Hills Classic here Saturday and claim her first WTA title in seven years.
Likhovtseva was due for a win against the fourth seeded Benesova, of the Czech Republic.
The Russian surprised everyone a few weeks ago by reaching the final at Montreal with upset wins over top 10 players Jennifer Capriati and Anastasia Myskina. When Likhovtseva arrived here she had a dream run as she reached the semifinals without playing a match. She had a bye in the opening round and a walkover from the injured Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals.
The win was her third title in 12 years on the WTA Tour.
