Kudermetova wins Toray Pan Pacific Open for second profession title

TOKYO — Veronika Kudermetova upset second-seeded Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-1 to say the Toray Pan Pacific Open and a second profession title on Sunday.

The Russian’s triumph in Tokyo ends a four-match dropping streak in finals since her maiden title on clay at Charlestown in 2021. It was additionally her second win over a top-five opponent this week, after beating second-ranked Iga Swiatek within the quarterfinals.

“I’m really happy because before, it was not an easy time for me, it was really tough moments,” mentioned Kudermetova, who will subsequent compete on the China Open. “Now I’m really happy and I have a lot of motivation for the next weeks.”

The eighth-seeded Kudermetova had a quick begin Sunday racing to a 3-0 lead on the again of successful ten consecutive factors. Pegula, who had dropped solely 9 video games in three matches coming into the ultimate, fought her manner again on serve. But the American undid the rally by making back-to-back double faults to surrender the primary set.

“Jessica is a great player, she’s a great fighter, and I prepared myself for the fight,” the Russian mentioned. “When it was 5-5 in the first set, I just said to myself, ‘Veronika, you just need to fight, you just need to do everything that you can,’ and I did.”

The 26-year-old’s highly effective floor strokes started to inform within the second set as she broke Pegula twice to race to victory in a single hour and 24 minutes.

PHOTOS: Kudermetova wins Toray Pan Pacific Open for second profession title