The future of tennis is in excellent hands. Many players in their teens on both the WTA and ATP sides are beginning to make an impact on the sport, and Lilli Tagger just cemented her status as a name to keep an eye on. One only has to ask Daria Snigur, whom Tagger played in the final of the Prague Open.
Snigur jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first set and was dictating almost every point. Tagger didn't seem nervous about trying to win her first tour-level tournament, but the 18-year-old was simply being soundly beaten by a player seven years her senior.
That didn't last much longer, however. Through a series of excellent serves and a wonderful one-handed backhand, Tagger fought her way back and forced a tie-break. There, the young Austrian was fully in charge and raced out to a 5-1 lead before taking it 7-3.
Lilli Tagger wins her first WTA tournament by defeating Daria Snigur at the Prague Open
The backhand is what might make Tagger a truly special player. The one-hander is definitely out of style, and it is unusual to see a player of Tagger's age use it, but when she strikes the ball, it is with the same kind of power that one's forehand might have. She will keep opponents off-balance and on the defensive with the weapon.
Snigur, though, was doing herself no favors. Her serve abandoned her a bit, and she finished the opening set with seven double faults and no aces. The second set was a bit better, but by this point, Tagger was controlling every other aspect of the match.
The Austrian got a break of the Ukrainian in the fourth game and wasn't challenged much on her serve. The outcome seemed sealed early in the set, and she would get another break to finish off the set, match, and tournament.
Lilli Tagger had won her first WTA tournament at the Prague Open. This almost certainly won't be her last; her backhand is just too good. With the victory, she will move up nearly 30 spots and inside the top 50 for the first time in her young career.
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