This season was very successful for Russian tennis, and Orange Bowl was a culmination of it. Vera Zvonareva having surpassed Svetlana Kuznetsova (6:7, 6:4, 6:3) became the winner in Key Biscayne, Florida for the second time. |
Nobody did that for the last 30 years. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that after winning Orange Bowl junior tennis players turn to professional tennis. Vera extended this period, and this success will allow her wild card in the main draws of the major tournament of the first category - Ericsson Open, which is to be held in Key Biscayne on March-2002. |
Another remarkable player of the championship - Kuznetsova, who is the third Russian tennis player (after Anna Kournikova and Lina Krasnorutskaya) who finishes the tournament with the highest rank among ITF juniors. |