TOKYO, Japan - Zarina Diyas claimed her first WTA title on Sunday, beating home favorite Miyu Kato 6-2, 7-5 to take the Japan Women's Open crown in Tokyo.
The 23-year-old has displayed impressive form all week, accounting for second seed Zhang Shuai and eighth seed - and compatriot - Yulia Putintseva - before beating holder Christina McHale in Saturday's semifinal.
Zarina Diyas ends her week at @jwo_tennis by giving her first WTA title a ? pic.twitter.com/JHPWXu703r
— WTA (@WTA) September 17, 2017
In a final made up of two qualifiers, Diyas broke Kato in the first game before a double fault from the home player at 4-2 allowed the Kazakhstani to serve out for the set.
The second set stayed on serve until the fifth game, as Diyas again moved ahead, only for Kato - the first Japanese player to reach the final of this event since Kimiko Date-Krumm, who lost to Tamarine Tanasugarn in 2010 - to produce her first break of the final to tie the set at 3-3.
Zarina Diyas wins @jwo_tennis with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Kato!
First WTA title for the qualifier! pic.twitter.com/3QDhLV2MP6— WTA (@WTA) September 17, 2017
Diyas remained calm, however, breaking again in the 11th game of the set to allow her to see out a service game and secure the title.
Her success avenged her disappointment in Japan three years ago, when she lost the final to Samantha Stosur in Osaka, the event's previous home.
