Tauziat Claims Sparkassen Cup

Nathalie Tauziat of France continued a late-season roll, winning Sunday for the second time in three weeks while spoiling Czech qualifier Kveta Hrdlickova's chance to make tennis history in the Sparkassen Cup.

The second-seeded Tauziat took advantage of the Czech's nervousness and fatigue in posting a 6-1, 6-3 victory at the $520,000 event. Hrdlickova, ranked 67th, failed to become the lowest-ranked WTA player ever to win a tournament of this size.

She had fought her way into the finale by winning eight matches. In the semifinals, she ousted a top-10 player France's Mary Pierce for the first time.

Tauziat, ranked No. 8 in the world, won her sixth career title. She also prevailed two weeks earlier in Moscow.

Hrdlickova fought off four break points two on passing shots at 2-2. But Tauziat scored a decisive break at 5-3 and collected the $80,000 first prize money.

Tauziat closed out the match in 72 minutes when Hrdlickova hit three straight balls long as the French player rushed the net.

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