Kudermetova ends title drought with win over Pegula in Tokyo

Veronika Kudermetova clinched her first WTA title in two and a half years with a 7-5 6-1 victory over Jessica Pegula in the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis.

After winning her maiden career title at the 2021 Volvo Car Open in Charleston, Kudermetova faced a string of defeats in four consecutive finals, including a loss at ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June of this year. This unfavorable streak, however, has now been emphatically halted as the resilient Russian powered past Pegula for the second time in their two career encounters.

After an exchange of breaks, the first set of the Tokyo final was locked at 5-5. Reflecting on this pivotal juncture in the post-match interview, Kudermetova said:…