Pliskova clinches Korea Open

KarolinaPliskova

The Czech ran out 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 winner to lift her first title since clinching the Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur last year.

In the pair's first meeting since Pliskova beat Lepchenko at Fort Walton Beach in 2009, it was the former who began the brighter at the WTA International event in Seoul - breaking in the third game before moving 3-1 ahead.

The world number 32 - meeting a fellow seed for the first time in the competition - then broke again in the final game to move ahead in the match.

Appearing in her first WTA singles final, 28-year-old American Lepchenko showed steel in the second set as she saved three of four break points on her way to levelling courtesy of a tie-break.

However, second seed Pliskova was convincing in the deciding set as she sought to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in WTA finals this year. 

The 22-year-old quickly moved into a 4-0 lead to all but extinguish any hopes fifth seed Lepchenko may have had of ending her title drought. 

Pliskova saved break point twice in the set before serving out for the title to wrap up the win in two hours and 11 minutes.

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