The writing was on the wall as early as the quarter final when Jaquet (main picture) took out top seed Beatriz Corrales of Spain 22-20 in the deciding set. Indeed 22-20’s were scattered across the Jaquet menu all week which goes to prove a solid mental state on mind and affirms that Jaquet fighting spirit she is known for.

That never say die attitude came to the boil again today with the Swiss number 1 trailing 20-18 in the opening game to new Spanish kid on the block Clara Azurmendi. Just as she did in Scotland a few weeks back Jaquet once again came back from the dead to win the opener 22-20 a blow Azurmendi was not to recover from. 

Jaquet went onto take the title winning 21-14 in the second to round off an amazing post Rio period for one of Europe’s ladies of the circuit. A tough loss for Azurmendi but as she heads into senior life a lot of valuable lessons learned as for Jaquet podium appearances are starting to become a bit of habit.

“It has been an incredible end to 2016 for me. After a bad start with a difficult Olympic qualification I was really struggling to find my rhythm and level for months. As a result confidence was low. In the summer I got some confidence back but had to work hard for it. I had decent matches in Rio and after that I just told myself to enjoy playing and be a bit more relaxed. I am really happy to be able to bring my level to the court now as things are finally coming together especially on the tactics and mental side”

In the men’s singles there was a welcomed return to the top step of the podium for Sweden’s Henri Hurskainen. The Swede beat Milan based Indonesian Indra Bagus Ade Chandra in today’s final, Hurskainen’s first victory of 2016.

Three set trick for Tran and Corvee

There was no doubting the form of Anne Tran coming into the Italian International this week after her victory in women’s doubles at the Irish Open only last Saturday. Tran and Lefel made the semi-final in the women’s doubles in Rome to back up that form but no one expected Tran and mixed doubles partner Jordan Corvee (pictured above) to come from the pack and lift the mixed title as they did. 

Unseeded and outsiders for the title the French pair were made battle for their victory enduring four three set matches on route to the title. After losing the middle set today against Chang & Chang of Taipei the French took the title to end 2016 on a high. 

“A perfect end to the season with the win in Ireland and now in Rome” said Tran via her Facebook page “I would like to thank both my partners Emilie and Jordan who helped me with this beautiful gifts before Christmas”

Back to Back for Zurwonne & Jansen

After landing the Irish Open just 6 days ago in Dublin there was a happy return to Rome, the scene of their first international as a pair, for Josche Zurwonne & Jones Ralfy Jansen (pictured above). The German duo took care of a resurgent Ruponen and Eidestedt in today’s final match to land their fourth win of 2016, an impressive statistic by any standard. 

Russian women’s doubles pair Anastasia Chervykova and Olga Morosova added the Italian title to the Welsh title they won two weeks ago in Cardiff. The Russians overcame Mitzova and Nedelcheva in today’s final to claim their second title in three weeks. 

The Germans and the Russians will be certainly pairs to watch in 2017!

For all results from the Yonex Italian International click HERE