Kudermetova Wins the Pan Pacific Tennis Championship

Russian Veronika Kudermetova claimed her first title of the season and her second overall by defeating world number four Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo today, Sunday. The eighth-seeded Kudermetova wasted no time unleashing her powerful baseline shots, successfully breaking the American’s serve and taking a 3-0 lead. However, Pegula broke back in the fifth game. An unfortunate double fault from Pegula at serve gifted the first set to the Russian, who is ranked 19th in the world. Kudermetova elevated her level in the second set, leading 5-1 before sealing the match on her third opportunity with a strong serve. This victory marked Kudermetova's second win over Pegula this season, following her victory in the quarterfinals in Madrid, and the fifth win in her last six matches against top ten players in the world rankings. The 26-year-old had also defeated world number two Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the tournament.