Maja Chwalinska of Poland clinched the first title of her career in her breakthrough year, beating unseeded British player Sonay Kartal 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the Wuhan Open on Sunday.
The French Open runner-up gained the momentum in a grueling contest lasting 2 hours, 43 minutes. The 16th seed took control when she broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set.
Errors prove costly for Kartal
Kartal hit more winners (32-23) but also made more unforced errors (36-27). The match featured no aces on Dongfeng Voyah center court.
Both players were appearing in their first career WTA 1000 final. Chwalinska’s victory will move her up to 11th in the rankings, the WTA said.
Swiatek win and financial struggles
Chwalinska beat six-time major winner and Polish compatriot Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals. Along with 1,000 ranking points, she earns $665,000 in prize money. During her run to the French Open final as a qualifier, Chwalinska did not have enough money to extend her hotel stay in Paris and needed some financial help.
Kartal’s remarkable week
Kartal beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals. She will break into the Top 40 after entering the Wuhan tournament ranked No. 170.
It was a remarkable week for the 24-year-old, who missed more than six months with a stress fracture in her back earlier this year.