Pavlyuchenkova claims third title

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Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has defended her Monterrey Open crown with a come-from-behind victory over Jelena Jankovic in Sunday's final.

Pavlyuchenkova gave away the first set but rallied to defeat the top-seeded Serb 2-6 6-2 6-3 in just over two hours and clinch her third WTA title in Mexico.

The Russian improves to a 3-0 record in WTA finals and a 2-0 record over Jankovic, after triumphing as a 17-year-old in the only previous meeting between the pair back in 2009.

Jankovic was on top early and blitzed her opponent with two breaks to pocket the opening set in no time, but Pavlyuchenkova found her rhythm in the second and broke back twice while defending five break points of her own.

The third set was neck-and-neck early and went to 3-3 before Pavlyuchenkova got the decisive break in the seventh game.

The 19-year-old then consolidated to move within a game of the trophy, before a rattled Jankovic double-faulted on her way to conceding the ninth and final game.

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