Double final for Leanne Baker - but just the single winner

By EMMA BUTT in Taupo
Kiwi Leanne Baker couldn't quite make it a double victory in the finals of the LochEagles International Women's Tennis Tournament in Taupo yesterday - winning the singles but unable to clinch the doubles final.

Baker had made it through to both sets of finals, but her and Italian partner Francesca Lubiani missed out on the doubles trophy to Americans Lauren Barnikow and Christina Fusano.

The Waikato-based player only took just over an hour to defeat opponent Japan's Natsumi Hamamura in the singles final 6-1, 6-2.

The sixth seeded Japanese player had performed well throughout the tournament, defeating top seed Lubiani in the semis but did not not show the same form yesterday.

Baker said she was pleased with the way she had played and had stuck to her game plan.

"It was good smart play," she said.

"I think my game rattled her [Hamamura]."

Despite double faulting on the first point of the match, the tournament's fourth seed managed to stay calm and ultimately, to win the game.

"In the end everything just went right."

The victory was a first for Baker in front of her parents, Anne and Lou, who have supported her though her tennis career.

However, things did not go quite as well against Barnikow and Fusano in the doubles.

The game was always going to be a tight one against the first and second seed pairs, but a controlled game by the Americans saw them take out the top prize 6-4, 6-4.

Fusano said she had felt better playing in the final than she had previously in the tournament, despite the tough competition.

A strong crowd had turned out in Taupo, including local Labour MP Mark Burton to support the Kiwi in her two finals.

Players had to compete under the hot sun, with ball kids feeling the heat, as two fainted in the singles finals.

Many of the players had already left for Wellington where the ASB international kicks off on Tuesday.

Baker, who is the defending champ, will travel to the capital after a brief rest.

"I love it, I don't get a chance to play enough in tournaments in New Zealand, I only play here three or four times a year," Baker said. "I've got to make the most of it."

Baker adds her inaugural Taupo title to her pervious wins in Mexico, in England in 1999, and in Italy last year.

She said the win was a good start to the year.

"It's pretty good to get some money behind me so I can go to the tournaments in Australia."