Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR) and Mardy Fish (USA) are the Tradition ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament Champions for 2009.
Fish beat Vince Spadea in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 and Michelle over-came Britain's Robson in a Super Tie-Break 6-4, 2-6, 10-6 at Calderstones Park on Saturday.
American Vince Spadea was competing in his third Liverpool final, but his compatriot Fish was too strong for the 34-year-old veteran. Vince must now be wondering if he will ever get his hands on the coveted Boodles' Trophy after losing in straight sets.
Following the withdrawal of Robin Söderling, Mardy became the favourite for the men's title and he stormed through his group games comprising of local players.
Liverpool's Neal Skupski, Liverpool-based Frederik Sletting-Johnsen and Bolton's Simon Roberts all failed to beat the American, but Roberts came closest, taking Fish to a third set tie-break and only narrowly losing 11-9.
Fish took the opening set 6-4, but there was no sign of a fight back from Spadea as he collapsed in the second set. 5-2 down and with rain beginning to fall, Tournament Director Anders Borg and referee Alan Mills looked like being Spadea's only hope as they stood on the side of the court ready to suspend play, but Fish was quick enough to serve out his game and win the match.
The women's match was far more evenly balanced. Michelle Larcher De Brito won the opening set 6-4, but not without both girls breaking each others serves in the opening three games.
Robson came back to win the second set 6-2, but a slip stretching for a forehand shot left the 15-year-old requiring treatment from her fitness coach Floris Minnaert. For a few moments the centre court crowd at Calderstones Park wondered if the Junior Wimbledon Champion would be able to carry on the match. Laura recovered well and managed to take the second set and force a super tie-break third set.
he tie-break didn't start well for Laura and she soon found herself 8-1 down. Two service points and a break later and the British fans cheering Laura on thought a dramatic comeback was on the cards, but at 9-1 match point Laura double faulted and Larcher De Brito was the new Liverpool International Women's Champion.
Both girls will now travel to Wimbledon to compete in the senior Women's draw having each been handed a wild-card. They are in the same side of the draw so there is a chance we could see a repeat of this final at the All England Championships next week.
Michelle faces Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic, whilst Laura faces another Eastern European in the form of Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova.