RUSSIA'S Yulia Putintseva took out the WTA Launceston Tennis International 6-1, 6-3 today.
The 17 year-old pocket rocket, who was ranked 206 in the world, dominated her opponent Lesley Kerkhove from the Netherlands at Launceston's Regional Tennis Centre.
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The No.5 seed from Moscow got off to a nervous start.
``When I came to the court I was so nervous but after a while I just started to play better and better and I think I was on top of her today,'' Putintseva said.
Kerkhove, 20, put in an impressive effort to make the women's final from qualifying rounds.
``I think (Kerkhove) played well today but she wasn't ready for my game, I was more aggressive than usual,'' Putintseva said.
Putintseva is coached by her father Anton Putintseva.
The $25,000 tournament win will boost her senior world ranking to within 200.
Read more in The Examiner tomorrow.
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