The Fila News

Fila's Kim Clijsters saved three match points to win the Cincinnati Women's Open yesterday.

A year ago, Kim made her official return to professional tennis in Cincinnati where she advanced to the quarterfinals. This year, Kim won a nail-biter final match, after a 74 minute rain delay, Kim won 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2  against fellow former Number 1 Maria Sharapova. With this win, Kim became the first player on the WTA Tour to win three titles this year.

As reported by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, after the match Kim said:
"I was so close to losing and then this dark cloud came," said Clijsters, who finished the match off with a big running forehand down the line. "I thought I was hitting well from the baseline with her but my serve wasn't working well. During the delay I had to regroup and refocus, and when we came back to the court I played aggressively and turned it around. I'm really happy to win."

Kim will debut Fila's Center Court Collection at the 2010 US Open.

Svetlana Kuznetsova Wins 2010 Mercury Insurance Open Presented by Tri-City Medical Center

Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a bout of mid-match nerves to eventually see off Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets and clinch the San Diego Open on Sunday.  Kuznetsova defeated Radwanska 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3.

As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune,  Kuznetsova, despite getting to her first final this year, still sees room for improvement. “I’m playing better yes but I’m very far from the place I want to be.” When asked how she felt when she fell out of the top 20 for the first time since 2003, she talked about how she didn’t panic when others around her did. “I was like don’t worry I’m working on it. I couldn’t change it at that moment. I couldn’t rush out and play more tournaments to earn ranking points. I just want to be better and be strong. I don’t want to be number 12 or 15 that’s not my goal. I want to be higher and know I can do it.”

Congrats Sveta!

Fila & Sport Chalet are hosting a meet & greet with ATP World Tour star James Blake on Monday, July 26th from 6pm - 7pm in the West LA store. Bring the whole family for a fun filled evening with one of America’s top tennis stars! He will be available for pictures and autographs so plan on coming early! James will talk to fans of all ages during a Q&A and then sign autographs for all attendees. Fans will get the chance to win tickets to the BNP Paribas Open! Event attendees will also have the chance to win other special Fila gifts! James is in town for the Farmer's Classic held at the UCLA Tennis Center (http://www.farmersclassic.com). Fans can now support James during the Farmer's Classic by purchasing J-Block shirts exclusively at the Sport Chalet's West LA location which is located close to the tennis center. Proceeds from the sale of J-Block shirts will benefit The Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund. Location Information: Sport Chalet - West LA 11801 West Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 (between Barrington and Bundy - just 10 blocks west of the 405)

Szavay Wins Two WTA Titles in Two Weeks!

Agnes Szavay is on a roll! The 23 year-old from Hungary reached back-to-back finals on the WTA Tour and won both! Last week in Budapest, in front of a home crowd, Agi defeated Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-4 and successfully defended her GDF Suez Grand Prix title. This was her fouth WTA title and her third on clay.

According to Agi,   "It was a tough match, especially because of the weather - it was really hot. We also both had long matches yesterday, so we were both pretty tired. But we tried to do our best," Szavay said. "I think mentally it was better for me today. We played in the final last year and I won in a tight match, and I think she was thinking about it. She seemed a little nervous at the beginning."
"It's unbelievable to win in Hungary again," Szavay added. "The crowd was great, just like last year. To win two times at home, I can't describe this feeling."

Today in Prague, Agi won her fifth careet WTA title by defeating Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 in the Prague Open final.
Szavay took the first set and Sahlavova took six straight games in the second set.
Agi fought back in the final set to win the match in one hour 56 minutes.

Congrats Agi!