Kudermetova wins in Tokyo to claim second WTA title

By AAP Newswire

Oct 1, 2023

Veronika Kudermetova has upset second-seeded Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-1 to claim the Toray Pan Pacific Open and a second career title.

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The Russian's triumph in Tokyo ends a four-match losing streak in finals since her maiden title on clay at Charlestown in 2021.

It was also her second win over a top-five opponent this week, after beating world second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals.

The eighth-seeded Kudermetova had a fast start on Sunday racing to a 3-0 lead on the back of winning 10 consecutive points.

Pegula, who had dropped only nine games in three matches coming into the final, fought her way back on serve.

But the American undid the rally by making back-to-back double faults to give up the first set.

The 26-year-old's powerful ground strokes began to tell in the second set as she broke Pegula twice to race to victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

In the doubles final, Ingrid Neel and Ulrikke Eikeri beat Japanese pair Eri Hozumi and Makoto Ninomiya 3-6 7-5 10-5.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press

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