PETE ZIEBRON
One week ago, Pauline Parmentier was the Last Direct Acceptance into the TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup. Today, she won the event for her first title since 2008 and third crown overall.
The Frenchwoman entered the event with a 2-15 record for the year. Just days before the beginning of play in Istanbul. Parmentier had just competed in the Fed Cup Semifinals days earlier in France before arriving in Turkey.
Despite recording just one win since January, Parmentier competed exceptionally well in Aix-En-Provance in Fed Cup play. In the opening match, she fell to world #9 and reigning US Open Champion Sloane Stephens 6-7(3) 5-7 and the following day to world #13 Madison Keys 6-7(4) 4-6.
The improved play started to take shape immediately in Turkey as the Frenchwoman dropped just 4 games in her opening match to Turkish Wild Card Ayla Aksu. Next up, Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan was dismissed in three sets. In the quarterfinals loomed world #2 Caroline Wozniacki. Despite dropping the opening set, Parmentier took the second set 6-3 and Wozniacki retired from the match, securing a semifinal berth for Parmentier.
Seventh seed Irina-Camelia Begu was defeated in straight sets setting the table for an improbable scenario, Pauline Parmentier was in the Istanbul Final! The Frenchwoman made good on her opportunity and defeated Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-3 to win the title.
Parmentier entered the event ranked #122 in the world. On Monday, she will wake up to learn that she is now world #76.
Pauline Parmentier improved to 3-0 in WTA Finals. She also defeated Lucie Hradecka in Bad Gastein in 2008 and Victoria Azarenka in Tashkent in 2007.