Ukrainian Kostyuk beats Gracheva in Austin final for first WTA title

Marta Kostyuk is a champion on the WTA Tour for the first time in her career.

Kostyuk defeated Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATX Open at the Westwood Country Club on Sunday afternoon. In a Ukrainian-Russian showdown, it was the 20-year-old Ukrainian who triumphed after one hour and 30 minutes.

Kostyuk twice came back from a break down in the second set and Gracheva even served to force a decider at 5-4. The 22-year-old earned a set point at 40-30 but could not convert and ended up getting broken. With momentum back on her side, Kostyuk held serve for 6-5 and then capitalised on her first championship point in the next game to clinch victory.

Kostyuk dedicates victory to people of Ukraine

“Being in the position that I am in now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” the world No 52 said. “I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine. Obviously it’s a very a special moment no matter when it happens.

“(It’s) very surreal. I was just playing match by match, and I think this is how you win tournaments, I guess. It’s not so easy to talk right now, but obviously I’m extremely happy. I’m just happy to be healthy and happy to play tennis and see the crowd enjoy my game.”

Kostyuk defeated Hungarian Dalma Galfi (7-5, 6-1), American Madison Brengle (6-3, 3-6, 6-0), German Anna-Lena Friedsam (7-6 (6), 6-2) and American Danielle Collins, the No 4 seed (6-4, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

Gracheva, ranked No 88, booked her spot in the final by beating Pole Magda Linette, the top seed (6-3, 4-6, 6-4), Anna Blinkova (6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1), American Sloane Stephens, the No 5 seed (7-6 (4), 6-3) and American Katie Volynets (6-4, 5-7, 6-4).

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