ANNA SMASHNOVA dashed Anna Kournikova’s hopes of a first WTA singles title with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in yesterday’s final of the Shanghai Open.

　　A few hours later, Kournikova returned to the court with partner Janet Lee of Chinese Taipei to beat Ai Sugiyama and Rika Fujiwara 7-5, 6-3 in the doubles finals.

　　In the singles match, Kournikova ran faster and hit the ball harder than her opponent. But the 21-year-old Russian foundered on unforced errors, repeatedly hitting balls too long from the baseline and missing key net shots.

　　Smashnova, a 26-year-old Israeli who is ranked 19th in the world, remained precise and controlled. She pleased the crowd on several occasions with perfect winners hit in mid-stride as a hapless Kournikova looked on.

　　Kournikova was after her first singles title in 115 WTA tournaments, since she turned pro in 1995. She beat Smashnova in their last two match ups.(SD-Agencies)