PARIS, Feb 11: Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze won her seventh career title from as many finals when she overcame Hungary’s Agnes Szavay 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the Paris Open on Sunday.

World number seven Chakvetadze, the top seed in the indoor event, needed over two hours to win a scrappy match with many unforced errors from both players until a thrilling third set, in which the pair played close to perfection.

“I started well but made far too many mistakes in that second set,” Chakvetadze told reporters. “I’ve known Agnes since the junior ranks and she’s a very good player. I’m sure we’ll have many opportunities to meet again.

“It’s true that I’ve won all the finals I’ve played,” she added. “What I would really love would be to play one in a Grand Slam, and win it of course.”

Struggling with her serve, the 19-year-old Szavay found herself 4-0 down in the first set which Chakvetadze wrapped up after 37 minutes.

The rising Szavay, who has won two titles, fought back in the second set, which she won easily after opening up a 4-0 lead.

Chakvetadze, who made her breakthrough last year by winning four titles and reaching the US Open semi-finals, then underwent treatment on a sore shoulder, which did not stop her from playing extremely well in the decisive set.

Szavay kept fighting but showed signs of nerves at the worst possible moment, handing her opponent two match points with a double fault. She saved the first before bowing out with an unforced error on the second.

Chakvetadze, who turns 21 next month, climbed to sixth in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, with Szavay moving up two places to 18th.—Reuters