PARIS -- Unseeded Mona Barthel of Germany won her second career title Sunday, upsetting top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the Open GDF Suez final.
The seventh-ranked Errani was a heavy favourite as she chased her seventh career title and first this year, but the 45th-ranked Barthel continued her good form after beating fifth-seeded Roberta Vinci and No. 3 Marion Bartoli on her way to the final.
Barthel aggressive style saw her mix 53 winners with 50 unforced errors and she clinched the victory with a forehand winner. Her previous title came at Hobart, Australia, in January last year, where she came through the qualifiers.
"This was such a great week for me. I didn't expect to win this tournament," Barthel said. "When I got to the final I knew it would be tough, because Sara had such an amazing year last year and is playing so well."
Errani's four titles last year came on clay, however, and she is now 1-3 in hardcourt finals and 6-5 overall in title matches.
"Mona serves so well, plays so well from the baseline and physically moves so well. I just couldn't beat her today," Errani said. "I usually like to have more time to place the ball where I want, but I was on the limit today, particularly on my serve."
