Russia's Alisa Kleybanova won only her second WTA title on Sunday when she thumped the Czech Republic's Klara Zakopalova 6-1, 6-3 in the Hansol Korea Open final. The fifth seed and world number 28 was in fine fettle all week, recovering from losing the first set in her second-round match against Ksenia Pervak to give up just 15 games in the next eight sets she played.
"Before coming here I wasn't thinking about winning the title because I haven't been playing so well recently," Kleybanova said. "Day by day, match by match, I was feeling better about my game; towards the end of the tournament I was fighting to win the title. I'm really happy that I made it in the end."
Kleybanova improved to 2-0 in career finals, having won her only previous final at another Asian hardcourt tournament, in Kuala Lumpur in February.
"The first one is always special, but the second one gives me confidence and proves the first one wasn't a lucky one," she added. "I deserved it and I'm good enough to win another one. This definitely helps me towards getting into the top 20. I know not straight away, but it gives me the belief."
The unseeded Zakopalova was gracious in defeat.
"Alisa was playing very well today. I was fighting and tried my best, but
it was not enough against her," she said.