The 15-year-old Mia Pohankova made a name for herself in the Slovakian capital this week. Entering only her third professional tournament, the youngster defeated five rivals at the W75 Bratislava event, claiming a notable title and introducing herself to the tennis world.
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Pohankova qualified for the main draw at this event a year ago at 14 and defeated two rivals en route to the quarter-final. She went three steps further this week, lifting her first professional title and making massive progress through the WTA ranking list.
Mia defeated three top-200 rivals en route to the final, including a win over world no. 94 Oceane Dodin. The crowd saw their most prominent players in the title clash, with the 17-year-old Renata Jamrichova standing on the other side of the net.
The two-time junior Major champion and former world no. 1 claimed the opener before the younger player took charge and delivered a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in two hours and four minutes. Pohankova served at 58% and struggled behind the second serve.
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Mia Pohankova claimed the W75 Bratislava tournament at 15.
The 15-year-old played against ten break points, defending seven and overcoming a couple of challenging games in set number two.
Jamrichova claimed two points more than her compatriot, but not the pivotal ones, squandering a chance to seal the deal in straight sets. The junior star got broken four times from nine opportunities presented to her rival, losing ground in the decider and finishing runner-up.
The more experienced player clinched a break in the second game of the match and held at 15 in the next one for a 3-0 lead. Mia denied four break points in the fourth game, remaining within one break deficit and holding with an ace to get her name on the scoreboard.
Renata grabbed another break in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and missed a set point on serve in the next one. Pohankova saved a set point and pulled one break back before suffering the third break in the next one, propelling her opponent 6-2 in front after 36 minutes.
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Jamrichova served well in the opening two service games of the second set and missed a break chance in game four, which could have sent her closer to the top. Renata played against two break points in the fifth game, defending them and moving 3-2 in front.
The 15-year-old held after a deuce in the sixth game and faced more issues at 3-4. Mia kept her composure and held after a deuce for 4-4 before making a push on the return. Jamrichova denied two break points in the ninth game before falling on the third, pushing her younger compatriot 5-4 in front.
Pohankova served for the set in game ten and wrapped up the game at 30, forcing a decider and gaining a massive boost. She broke in the third game of the final set and saved a break point in the next one, surviving deuces and forging a 3-1 advantage.
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Mia saved a break point in the sixth game, opening a 4-2 lead and moving closer to the finish line. Renata squandered a game point in game seven, suffering another break and propelling her opponent closer to the finish line.
The 15-year-old served for the title at 5-2 and sealed the deal in style, firing three aces and holding at love for a notable title at such a young age.
