Irina-Camelia Begu won the 2011 BCR Open Romania title, after defeating Laura-Pous Tio (Spain), 6-3, 7-5, in the final.

With a strategy carried on almost religiously, Irina didn’t let her opponent play her regular game from the baseline, in a manner that worked wonders for her in the previous rounds, with Raluca Olaru, Sorana Cirstea or Simona Halep. She tried to close the points quickly, by permanently hitting powerfully, with the forehand as well as with the backhand. Something changed after the first set, when Pous-Tio tried to be more aggressive, and the number of unforced errors committed by Begu multiplied. “I went on court very relaxed, having no pressure. But, in the same time, I was really tired and it was very hard to pull myself back together. In the first set I put into practice a good strategy, but in the second one I felt like all my powers deserted me”, explained Irina at the end of the match. Still, she continued to press the acceleration and to draw stunning trajectories in the air, even in the moments when the scores could have been turned over, at 3-1 for the Spanish player. The result: break after break, result which had Marius Comanescu’s trainee serve, at 5-3, for set, match and the Bucharest trophy. From 40-0, with Begu run by nervousness, the ending was postponed, Pous-Tio managing to save 3 match points. “I don’t even know how I lost them. I was thinking: holiday at last! But I had to work a little more”, confessed Irina. But that only lasted for a few more minutes, followed by an explosion of joy, on the court and in the stands. So, the singles trophy stays in Bucharest, as well as the doubles one, which is also displayed in the glass case of Irina Begu (having been won together with Elena Bogdan).

Begu has achieved now her third consecutive win against Laura Pous-Tio, in 2011, after the ones in Cali and Budapest”. “I think she was a little scared of me. And the audience really helped me in this match”.

A $ 15.200 cheque and 150 WTA points allow Irina to enter the top 50 of best women players in the world, becoming also the highest ranked Romanian player. “This year, my goal was to make it into the top 100, but I changed it now, I’m in the top 50 and I have to change it again!”

With this remarkable victory, Irina-Camelia Begu not only solidified her position among the elite players but also set the stage for even greater achievements in her career. Her determination, tactical intelligence, and relentless fighting spirit showcased in Bucharest became a testament to her potential on the WTA circuit. As she continues to climb the rankings and refine her game, this triumph serves as a stepping stone towards more prestigious titles and deeper runs in major tournaments. The Romanian fans, who passionately supported her throughout the event, can now look forward to witnessing her journey on an even grander stage.