Photograph: Getty Images
Tokyo, Japan (500)
Liudmila Samsonova def Qinwen Zheng (CHN) 7-5, 7-5
23-year-old Liudmila Samsonova has won her third WTA singles title in two months after claiming the WTA 500 event in Tokyo without dropping a set.
Samsonova has now triumphed in 18 of her past 19 singles matches, with a sole loss coming to Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open.
The Russian, who was excluded from Wimbledon competition in July, took the ban as an opportunity to practice and prepare for a strong finish to the season.
“For me, Wimbledon is the best tournament. I love it. The news really impacted me. I had one month without a tournament, so I thought let’s work,” Samsonova said.
In Sunday’s final, the 23-year-old’s forehand allowed her to dictate points and capitalise on chances in two tight sets over China’s Qinwen Zheng.
Samsonova was overjoyed in claiming her fourth singles title from just four finals, as well as a second trophy at WTA 500 level.
“It's amazing, I don't have too many words right now. I need a little bit of time," she said post-match.
After dropping to world number 60 at the beginning of August, Samsonova has risen to a live WTA ranking of 23.
Seoul, Korea (250)
[2] Ekaterina Alexandrova def [1] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 7-6(4), 6-0
Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova has claimed her third career WTA singles title in Seoul, Korea after overcoming top seed Jelena Ostapenko in the final.
The 27-year-old had failed to win consecutive matches at her past five events before reeling off five straight victories this week to take out the trophy.
In Sunday’s final, Alexandrova overpowered Ostapenko, firing 27 winners to 11 whilst also managing 10 less unforced errors.
However, after a tight opening set, Ostapenko suffered a right foot injury – requiring a medical timeout before completing the match.
On the back of a successful week, Alexandrova will rise to a career-high ranking of 21, and alongside Samsonova, is one of four Russian women inside the WTA top 25.
Budapest, Hungary (125)
[Q] Tamara Korpatsch (GER) def Viktoriya Tomova (BUL) 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-0
27-year-old Tamara Korpatsch has won the biggest title of her career, taking out the WTA 125K event in Hungary.
Korpatsch, who initially came through qualifying, won four of her five main draw matches in deciding sets – on her way to a maiden 125K title.
The German spoke post-match about converting her finals berth into a triumph at this level.
"I feel very happy. I had one more chance [to win a WTA 125] in Marbella in April of this year, and I lost the final. This time I used my chance," she said.
Korpatsch has now won twelve consecutive singles matches and has moved to a live WTA ranking of 100 – which would be her debut inside the elusive tennis group.
Her opponent, Victoriya Tomova, will also move to a career-high ranking at world number 94.
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