Russian ace captures maiden title

Anna Blinkova triumphed at the Transylvania Open

Russia’s Anna Blinkova earned a maiden WTA Tour singles title as she overcame Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final of the Transylvania Open in Romania on Sunday.

Blinkova prevailed in a three-set tussle against her higher-ranked opponent, emerging with a 6-2 3-6 6-2 victory in a contest spanning one hour and 41 minutes.

The title is a first for Blinkova in a singles event at WTA level and came after the 24-year-old had progressed through qualifying at the hard-court showpiece in Cluj-Napoca.

“I’m feeling so good, and I cannot even describe my emotions because I just finished a very tough match,” said Blinkova afterwards, having posed with a man in ‘Dracula’ costume in keeping with the location of the tournament.

The qualifier becomes the champion in Cluj