BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Champion Porsche Challenger and Futures tournaments were a success for Venezuelans Gabriela Paz and Jose DeArmas, who took home singles titles at the first USTA Pro Circuit events of 2009.
Paz won the $25,000 women's Challenger title with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over Sharon Fichman, and No. 2-seed DeArmas defeated top-seed Gabriel Moraru of Romania 7-5, 6-3, in the $10,000 Futures.
Fichman, from Canada, took the lead in the second set, and a third set seemed imminent, before Paz came back to win the set in a tiebreaker.
“She’s a good player, and the last set was really close,” said Paz, 17, who lives in North Miami Beach, Fla. “I just had to stay focused.”
Both Paz and DeArmas played in front of more than 200 spectators.
“It was a tough match,” said 27-year-old DeArmas. “It was nice to play so close to home and also have my family here watching.“
Event: Champion Porsche $25,000 Challenger of Boca Raton
Swim and Racquet Center
Boca Raton, Fla.
Purse: $25,000
Surface: Clay-Outdoor
Singles Final Results:
Gabriela Paz, Venezuela, def. Sharon Fichman, Canada, 6-4 7-6 (4)
Event: Champion Porsche $10,000 Futures of Boca Raton
Swim and Racquet Center
Boca Raton, Fla.
Purse: $10,000
Surface: Clay-Outdoor
Singles Final Results:
Jose DeArmas (2), Venezuela d. Gabriel Moraru, (1), Romania, 7-5, 6-3