Mona Barthel wins Prague Open for 4th WTA title

Posted May 06, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

PRAGUE (AP) - Qualifier Mona Barthel of Germany rallied to win the Prague Open on Saturday, beating unseeded Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Barthel broke Pliskova for a 4-2 lead in the final set before converting her second match point for her fourth WTA title and the first since 2014.

"I can't believe it," Barthel said. "Somehow, I made it. I'm completely exhausted."

The 82nd-ranked Barthel saved three match points in the second round of qualifying on her way to victory in the final.

Barthel dropped her serve Saturday to go 3-4 down in the second set but she got a break back in the following game. The German wasted a set point at 5-4 but converted her second set point to take the set 7-5.

Barthel improved her record against the 58th-ranked Czech to 2-1.

In the first set, Barthel dropped her serve in the opening game with two straight double faults. Pliskova broke her twice more before serving out the set.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it," said Pliskova who was seeking her second WTA title.

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