Yulia Putintseva (1) (Kazakhstan) v Alison van Uytvanck (2) (Belgium)
Putintseva came into the final having never lost to van Uytvanck in their four previous meetings, the most recent being a three setter in the second round of this years Australian Open.
Putintseva had won two WTA titles from four finals, one in Budapest in July this year.
van Uytvanck had won four WTA titles from as many finals, but the last was in Tashkent in September 2019.
van Uytvanck held serve in the opening game, but then Putintseva took the next four games, securing a double break.
Powerful ground strokes enabled the top seed to consolidate and move to within a game of the first set.
Serving at 1-5 to remain in the set, van Uytvanck netted a forehand, and missed with a backhand to trail 15-30. Another Belgian forehand finding the net gave Putintseva two set points. One was saved. However, not the second, and in twenty five minutes, Putintseva was ahead 6-1.
A double fault contributed to Putintseva falling behind 15-40 in the opening game of set two. She saved the resultant two break points, but not a third and van Uytvanck led 1-0.
The consolidation came, highlighted by a Belgian backhand volley winner.
In the fourth game, despite a slashing backhand cross court winner, van Uytvanck faced two break back points. Putintseva’s brilliant forehand return winner sealed it and scores were 2-2.
Two overhead winners from van Uytvanck and a Putintseva error gave the second seed a couple of break points in game five, both which were saved.
Putintseva held for 3-2.
At 30-30, van Uytvanck played two excellent points to level at 3–3. Continuing the high standard, van Uytvanck broke the Kazakh serve with fine tennis around the net. 4-3.
van Uytvanck let slip a 40-15 lead to be broken back and it was 4–4.
The ninth game saw four deuces and Putintseva saved one break point. But backhand and forehand winners from van Uytvanck secured the third successive service break and a 5-4 lead.
Serving for the set, van Uytvanck saved three break back points, before converting her first set point to level the match 1-6 6-4.
Putintseva led 2-0 in the decider, but once again, van Uytvanck fought back for 2-2.
Putintseva saved a break point to take the lead 3-2.
The top seed double faulted on a second break point in game seven, and van Uytvanck led 4-3. The second seed saved a break point before sealing a 5-3 lead with a service winner.
At 30-30 and serving to stay in the match, Putintseva pushed a backhand wide. van Uytvanck had match point.
Putintseva netted a backhand to end the match.
Alison van Uytvanck won her fifth WTA title, defeating Putintseva 1-6 6-4 6-3.
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