The BNP Paribas Open final saw Elena Vesnina fight her way through, down from a one-set 1-4 deficit as she battled off the heat and her opponent, Svetlana Kuznetsova, a three-time Indian Wells finalist before winning 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4 to cart home the biggest singles titles so far in her career.
Vesnina, 30, collected her first Premier Mandatory crown as well as the champion’s check of $1.175 million.
In addition to that, she watched as her ranking in the world rise from No. 86 to an impressive and a career-high No. 13. This feat is coming just one year after she got bounced out of the Indian Wells qualifying.
In a week that seemed filled unending with drama, Vesninapushed on, toppling the world No. 2 Angelique Kerber, as well as Australian Open finalist Venus Williams and Kristina Mladenovic. She then went on todispatchKuznetsova in a three-hour epic match that was a reaffirmation of the power of self-belief.
Speaking to the media in Indian Wells after the match, Vesnina stated that she played really great in the past two weeks and despite some bad moments, she still went on with her winning streak. This according to her, was inspite of not even playing the best tennis in her life.
In a recent interview with Biofile, she was asked of her first tennis memory and she said,
“I remember when I was nine. And Yevgeny Kafelnikov came by practice. And he was watching a little bit and he gave me some advices. I don’t remember what it was.
“And for me he was the best player in the world in that moment.He just won the French Open. Of course for me he was huge. Very inspiring moment for me.”