Sara Errani captured the Palermo Open on Sunday to become the first Italian to win four WTA titles in a season.

Errani, who had already won claycourt events at Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest this year, routed eighth seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the final, 6-1, 6-3.

"It wasn't easy like the score looks - Barbora was playing very aggressively and it was tough for me," said the French Open runner-up.

The previous record for most WTA titles in a season for an Italian came just last year, as Errani's best friend and doubles partner, Roberta Vinci, won three.

"I wasn't thinking about the record today, but I'm very happy to have the record - to win four tournaments in a season is incredible for me," Errani said.

"It's a magic period for me. This year I've played some fantastic tennis on clay, losing only a few matches, but I really want to improve my results on hard and grass."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 07/17/2012 page23)