Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay stole the show at the 18th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge. The young Turk became the first-ever player to win both the singles and doubles titles at the $75,000 ITF event, claiming the biggest win of her career. Joanna Andrews reports.
Cagla Buyukakcay dominated the competition, winning the singles and doubles finals on the same day. The 26-yearold entered the competition at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection ranked no. 158 in the world, and sixth in the ITF event.
She went on to knock out top seeded Alexandra Dulgheru in the quarter-final and second-seed Klara Koukalova in the final to capture her biggest title to date.
The two hour 45 minute-long final match ended 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4. Within half an hour she was back on court partnering with Maria Sakkari of Greece. The duo defeated top-seeded Ipek Soylu and Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-4.
“I am delighted,” Cagla said. The trophies were presented by Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, and Founder of the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge.