LUXEMBOURG (AP) Misaki Doi claimed her first WTA title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-0 win over Mona Barthel in the Luxembourg Open final.
The 92nd-ranked Japanese player saved all five break points she faced to deny the big-hitting Barthel a fourth career title.
The left-handed Doi, who upset former top-ranked player Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals, arrived in Luxembourg on a four-match losing run. She was on the verge of elimination in her opening match but rallied from a break down twice in the third set to get past fourth-seeded Andrea Petkovic.
Against Barthel, she found herself trailing 0-40 in the first game of the decider but recovered to hold her serve.
''In the second set, it was tough physically and mentally and I couldn't make it. It was almost finished, but not,'' Doi said. ''The key point was that first game (in the third set). It was 0-40 but I tried to focus on every single point and built confidence from there.''
Barthel consoled herself by winning the doubles title with fellow German Laura Siegemund.
''I think Misaki played a really good match today and a good tournament,'' Barthel said. ''I tried everything and it was my last singles match of the year, but in the end, she was just a little bit fresher and fitter.''