Daniela Hantuchova wins Pattaya Open again

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) -- Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova won her second straight Pattaya Open title Sunday, defeating Russia's Maria Kirilenko 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3.

This was Hantuchova's fifth career title and her first since winning in Thailand a year ago.

"Even after I lost the first set, I kept fighting and never looked back," said Hantuchova, who successfully defended a title for the first time. "This is special for me."

Not wanting to break a winning routine, Hantuchova said she had eaten chicken fried rice and salad for the past seven days, and was looking forward to something different.

"It could be a pizza or anything," she said. "I also kept eating the same thing in Indian Wells and I won."

Hantuchova, seeded third, won in 3 hours, 14 minutes. Kirilenko had already spent more than 9 1/2 hours on court just to get to the final, her first on the WTA Tour in nearly 16 months.

She was a break up in the first set before eventually taking it on a tiebreaker when Hantuchova netted a backhand after 1 hour, 14 minutes.

Hantuchova won the second set after an early break before Kirilenko needed treatment on court for a right hip injury.

The Russian double-faulted to give Hantuchova the crucial break and a 5-3 lead in the deciding set. Hantuchova closed the victory with help of two forehand winners down the line.

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