Alexandrova wins Seoul title

Final day in Seoul.

2022 Hana Bank Korea Open, a WTA 250 tournament, on Hard, in Seoul, South Korea, 19-25 September 2022.

Defending champion:

Zhu Lin (2) who defeated Kristina Mladenovic (1) 6-0 6-4

Final:

Jelena Ostapenko (1) (Latvia) v Ekaterina Alexandrova (2)

Alexandrova won four of the six previous meetings between the players, including the most recent - first round Madrid this year.

Ostapenko served first and held for 1-0.

Then the next four games saw breaks of serve.

At 2–3, Alexandrova saved two break points before holding, and avoiding a fifth straight dropping of serve.

Serving at 3-4, Alexandrova wasn’t as fortunate, and Ostapenko broke to lead 5-3.

Serving for the set, Ostapenko was broken to love, and games were back on serve.

Alexandrova would serve to stay in the set at 4-5.

After being taken to deuce, Alexandrova held and levelled at 5-5.

Serving at 5-6, again to stay in the set, Alexandrova saved a set point before holding and forcing a tie break.

Three mini breaks in the first nine points - two to Alexandrova - leaving the Russian ahead 5-4 and two serves to come.

She won both points and the opening set 7-6(4).

Alexandrova won the first three games of set two, including a break of the Ostapenko serve in game two.

Another break in the fourth game, followed by a consolidation, left Alexandrova 5-0 ahead.

Serving to stay in the match, Ostapenko, clearly hampered by injury, was broken to love, and the match was over.

Ekaterina Alexandrova won 7-6(4) 6-0 and claimed the title, her third from five finals.

Second title this year, following ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June.