Tennis-Samsonova shines in Tokyo for third title in two months

Tennis - Pan Pacific Open - Women's Singles - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - September 25, 2022. Russia's Liudmila Samsonova reacts after winning against China's Zheng Qinwen during their final match. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

(Reuters) - Liudmila Samsonova improved her unblemished record in tennis finals to 4-0 by defeating Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen 7-5 7-5 at the Pan Pacific Open on Sunday, continuing her incredible hardcourt run to lift her third title in two months.

It was the 18th win in her last 19 matches for the 23-year-old Russian with the only defeat since July coming against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the fourth round of the U.S. Open this month.