Veronika Kudermetova bags second WTA career title after Toray Pan Pacific Open victory

The 26-year-old powered to a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the American in just 84 minutes to claim her career second WTA singles title.

Kudermetova has now claimed two titles at WTA 500 events, with her previous trophy coming on the green clay court of Charleston in April 2021.

The Russian defeated qualifier Harriet Dart, American Kayla Day, top seed Pole Iga Swiatek and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on her way to the final against world number four Pegula.

"Jessica is a great player, she™s a great fighter, and I prepared myself for the fight," said Kudermetova, following her victory.

"When it was 5-5 in the first set, I just said to myself, 'Veronika, you just need to fight, you just need to do everything that you can,' and I did."

The Russian had come into the tournament in Tokyo on the back of a bad run of form, managing to win only three matches in the last six events she had participated in.

However, the world number 19 managed to turn things around emphatically in Japan, also gaining her first victory over world number two Iga Swiatek following five consecutive losses against her.

"I'm really happy because before, it was not an easy time for me, it was really tough moments. "Now I™m really happy and I have a lot of motivation for the next weeks."

Kudermetova will compete at the Chipa Open Round of 32 tomorrow, with her opponent yet to be confirmed.

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