Russian takes title
03/08/2010 02:56:12 AM
Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova staged a brilliant comeback to win her second match of the day and land the Monterrey Open title.
The 18-year-old won her first tournament on the WTA Tour by recovering from a slow start to beat second seed Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-1 6-0 in the final.
Pavlyuchenkova, the third seed, was given a major test by Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in her semi-final, which had to be played on the same day as the final after rain washed out much of Sunday's scheduled play.
She won 6-3 2-6 6-1, and then had the opportunity to rest as the doubles final took place.
Slovakian Hantuchova had just enough time to complete her Saturday match before the poor weather arrived, and she looked set to take advantage as she raced away with the first set.
However the 26-year-old crumbled as she chased what would have been her first title since triumphing at Indian Wells in 2007, and Pavyluchenkova dominated the second and third sets.