9 Jan 2011

Fairytale run ends in Classic title for unfancied Hungarian

2:16 pm on 9 January 2011

The winner of the ASB tennis Classic says she remained focused despite her fairytale run and facing a much higher-ranked opponent in the final.

The little-known WTA Tour veteran Greta Arn knocked Russian favourite Maria Sharapova out of the Auckland tournament en route to Saturday's final against the defending champion Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.

The 31-year-old Hungarian arrived expecting to have to qualify but a couple of late withdrawals sent her straight into the main draw, and Arn went on to win the final in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.

Arn says she was just focused on the next ball, not the situation or her opponent.

The Auckland Classic is just Arn's second WTA title. She took about three years off the Tour after being defrauded by her manager.