Iran’s Safi finishes doubles’ runner-up at World Tour event in Italy
Iran’s Meshkatozzahra Safi settled for the doubles’ runner-up trophy at the W15 Solarino tournament in Sicily, Italy.
The Iranian player teamed up with Germany’s Vivien Sandberg to reach Saturday’s final at the latest ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour event but fell in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to the Italian duo of Carolina Gasparini and Kseniia Ruchkina.
The Iranian-German duo began their campaign with a 2-0 victory (6-4, 7-6(4)) over the host’s Alessandra Fiorillo and Ylenia Zocco and was then handed a walkover against NoemiLa Cagnina and Giulia Paterno in the quarterfinals.
Safi and Sandberg then came out victorious in successive sets (7-6(3), 6-1) against Swiss pair of Nicole Gadient and Sophie Luescher to progress to the final showpiece.
Safi had claimed the doubles crown – alongside British girl Jasmine Conway – at the W15 Kayseri tournament in June to become the first Iranian to win a trophy at a World Tour event.