Tennis-Flawless Kudermetova dismantles Pegula to claim Tokyo title

Tennis - WTA 500 - Pan Pacific Open - Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan - October 1, 2023 Russia's Veronika Kudermetova celebrates with the trophy after winning her women's singles final match against Jessica Pegula of the U.S. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou

TOKYO (Reuters) -Eighth seed Veronika Kudermetova claimed her first title of the season and second overall with a comprehensive 7-5 6-1 win over world number four Jessica Pegula in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Sunday.

An aggressive Kudermetova wasted little time unleashing her powerful shots from the baseline and broke American Pegula early for a 3-0 lead, but she dropped her own serve in the fifth game before allowing her opponent to draw level in the first set.