Kasatkina denies Tunisian Jabeur a first WTA title

MOSCOW: Home favourite Daria Kasatkina roared back from a set and 4-1 down to win the Kremlin Cup, denying Tunisian qualifIer Ons Jabeur a first WTA title for her country.

Last year’s runner-up Kasatkina survived a rollercoaster encounter to complete the turnaround for a 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 victory after two hours and five minutes.

The pair exchanged early breaks in the opening set before Kasatkina fired a blistering forehand to take a 4-2 lead.

Playing her first WTA final, and a first for a Tunisian, Jabeur recovered with some aggressive returns as she reeled off four games in a row to claim the first set.

Jabeur’s relentless groundstrokes earned her a 4-1 lead in the second set before her sixth-seeded opponent showed her experience to draw level at 4-4.

Last year’s finalist Kasatkina turned on the style in the tie break, claiming four straight points to force a decider.

World number 101 Jabeur, who had battled through qualifying, showed understandable signs of fatigue as the match ticked past the two-hour mark, handing Kasatkina a crucial break on her way to a second career WTA title.

“I remember 10 years ago as a kid I was coming here, dreaming to standing on the centre court and holding this trophy, the 21-year-old Kasatkina said.

“It’s a dream come true.” World number 14 Kasatkina ended a run of three losses in the finals to clinch her first hard court title.

The victory also earned her a trip to WTA Finals in Singapore, over- taking Aryna Sabalenka as the first alternate for the season-ending tournament next week.

In the men’s draw, Adrian Mannarino of France reached the final by beating former champion Andreas Seppi 7-5, 7-5.

Mannarino was 5-3 down in the second set before winning four straight games to close out the match.

The Frenchman has lost all five of his career finals and will play Karen Khachanov of Russia.

Khachanov beat compatriot Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 in the semis. — Agencies