Cheesy ritual helps Koukalova to first WTA title

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands -- Klara Koukalova defeated fellow Czech Lucie Safarova 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Ordina Open on Saturday to win her first WTA championship.

It was Koukalova's sixth final.

On the men's side, Michael Llodra beat Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 to set up a final with third-seeded Mario Ancic, who beat Jan Hernych 6-4, 6-4.

After a slow start in the first set, Koukalova broke Safarova's serve three times in the second set.

"I am unbelievably happy. It was a very tough match. This is a magic place for me," said the 23-year-old Koukalova, who said she has developed a lucky habit before crucial matches: eating a cheeseburger. "I won every match after McDonald's."

Safarova was trying for her second title of the year after winning at Estoril last month. It was the first grass-court tournament for the 18-year-old.

Llodra, defending his only ATP title, capitalized on his only break point after Philippoussis opened the fourth game of the final set with two double faults.

Hoping to resurrect his flagging career, Philippoussis was playing in his first semifinal on the ATP Tour since September 2003. Earlier this year, he tore a groin muscle and then an ankle ligament, and played only nine matches before entering the Den Bosch tournament as a wild card.