WINSTON-SALEM: Second seed Kevin Anderson used his powerful serve to end the unlikely run of French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert and win his first title in more than three years with a 6-4, 7-5 victory in the final of the Winston-Salem Open on Saturday.

Anderson had lost all seven finals he had contested since his last tournament victory at Delray Beach in 2012 and one break in each set was enough for the tall South African to clinch the third ATP title of his career.

He always looked in control against Herbert as he swept to victory in just 92 minutes.

“This is a great feeling,” said Anderson, relieved to finally snap his losing run in finals.

KVITOVA OVERCOMES SAFAROVA IN NEW HAVEN FINAL

NEW HAVEN: Second-seeded defending champion Petra Kvitova clinched her third Connecticut Open crown with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-2 victory over fourth-seeded Lucie Safarova in their all-Czech Republic final on Saturday.

Kvitova faced only one break point and was never broken as she remained unbeaten in seven career matches against her compatriot — her victory putting her one behind Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki for the tournament record.

“It’s the first time I’ve defended a title, it’s a really good to have that experience,” said Kvitova, who admitted fatigue after the tournament from her battle with mononucleosis. “I feel terrible, but it doesn’t matter.”

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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