Zheng Qinwen retains Palermo title by battling past Karolina Muchova in deciding set

Zheng Qinwen will head to the Paris Olympics with a clay-court title in hand.

The world No. 7 came through a battle of former major finalists Sunday evening to successfully retain her Palermo Ladies Open crown. Taking on second seed Karolina Muchova, the top seed secured a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory.

The two competitors combined to break serve eight times in splitting sets, Zheng significantly increased her first-serve percentage during the decider, and although Muchova got back on serve midway through the set, she couldn’t escape a topsy-turvy 14-point game to level the scoreboard.

Zheng ran off with the final three games, clinching her first trophy of the year when the Czech’s backhand found the net. Sunday’s second set was the only one January's Australian Open finalist conceded throughout the week, as she has upped her unbeaten streak at the WTA 250 to 10 matches.

Muchova was appearing in her third tournament of the season since returning from a nine-month injury layoff that involved undergoing right wrist surgery in February. Like Zheng, last year’s Roland Garros runner-up will fly the flag for her nation at the upcoming Olympic Games.