A look back at the most inspiring tennis victories of recent times on the WTA Tour

Modified Feb 04, 2017 10:27 GMT

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Flavia Pennetta (R) of Italy and Roberta Vinci (L) of Italy pose with their trophies after their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Pennetta defeated Vinci 7-6, 6-2. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — Flavia Pennetta (R) and Roberta Vinci (L) pose with their trophies at the 2015 US Open

#4 Tsvetana Pironkova: Sydney Championship Match 2014

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 10: Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria addresses the media at a press conference after winning the womens singles final against Angelique Kerber of Germany during day six of the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 10, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) — Tsvetana Pironkova addresses the media after winning the 2014 Sydney International

Only very keen tennis followers would know Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, one of the most erratic and unpredictable player on the WTA Tour. The former Wimbledon semifinalist has been noted for her ”cerebral” grass court skills, owing to her stunning runs deep into the tournament on more than one occasion. She is one of the most constant faces to appear in Grand Slam tournaments, as she holds the second longest active streak of most consecutive appearances at majors at 45.

However, Pironkova’s big breakthrough came at a premier level hard court tournament in Sydney, at the 2014 Apia International. Having come through qualifying, Pironkova notched up three straight top-10 victories against the versatile veteran Sara Errani, the hard-hitting Petra Kvitova, and the future world no. 1 Angelique Kerber, to win her first WTA title, twelve years after her debut on tour.

“Mom, Dad we finally have a trophy,” exclaimed Pironkova in an emotional post-match ceremony, with her parents among the onlookers. A true tale of the victory of the hard work and perseverance of one of the most committed and wonderful players on the ladies tour.

Venus Williams and Father Richard recall one match that 7-time Grand Slam champion "should have won"

Edited by Staff Editor