Alexandrova wins 2nd Libéma Open

Final day in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

2023 Libéma Open, a WTA 250 tournament, on Grass, ‘s- Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, 12-18 June 2023.

Defending champion:

Ekaterina Alexandrova (7) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka (1) 7-5 6-0

Final:

Veronika Kudermetova (1) (Russia) v Ekaterina Alexandrova (4) (Russia)

Kudermetova won two of the three previous matches between the players, both in 2019.

Second round Nurnberg in May, and first round Wuhan in September.

Alexandrova won the most recent contest - the semi final of this tournament last year.

Kudermetova aiming for a second career title, following her Charleston Open win in April 2021.

Alexandrova wanting to defend her title, and if she did would make it career number four.

Alexandrova dropped serve in the third game of the opening set and trailed 1-2.

Kudermetova couldn’t consolidate, and was broken back immediately. 2-2.

Three successive breaks and Kudermetova led 3-2.

Rain stopped play after Kudermetova held for 4-2 and Alexandrova was serving at 30-15.

Upon resumption, Alexandrova served at 3-5 to stay in the set.

She saved a set point and held serve, but Kudermetova served out the set in the following game and led 6-4.

Kudermetova broke in the fifth game of set two, and in a long sixth game Alexandrova broke back to level at 3-3.

In another lengthy game Alexandrova saved two break points and held for 5-4.

Kudermetova failed to hold in the next game, and Alexandrova won the set 6-4.

Kudermetova saved a break point in game two of the decider and held serve.

There were no more break chances until the tenth game where Kudermetova saved a match point.

She saved two more match points in the twelfth game before sending the match into a tie break.

Alexandrova won the tie break and the match 4-6 6-4 7-6(3), thus successfully defending her title