Stephens beats Vesnina in Charleston final

Mar 24, 2016; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Sloane Stephens hits a backhand against Heather Watson (not pictured) on day three of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Watson won 6-3, 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - American seventh seed Sloane Stephens captured her third title of 2016 by defeating Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina 7-6(4) 6-2 in the final of the Volvo Car Open clay court event in South Carolina on Sunday.

The 23-year-old American raced out to a 5-2 lead before Vesnina, the 2011 Charleston finalist, used a slew of winners to win four consecutive games before moving within one point of winning the opening set.