Osaka, Japan (Sports Network) - Britain's Heather Watson earned her first
career WTA title on Sunday, knocking off Chinese Taipei's Kai-Chen Chang in a
three-set thriller at the HP Open.
Watson smashed three aces and committed just two double faults to claim the
Osaka crown with a 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) triumph in 3 hours and 11 minutes.
With the victory, Watson becomes the first Brit to win a WTA title since Sara
Gomer at Aptos back in 1988.
Chang knocked off top-seed Samantha Stosur to advance to the final, but the
21-year-old couldn't get out of her own way on Sunday, as she committed seven
double faults in the setback.
It was the first WTA final for both Chang and Watson and the first time the
two had ever met.
Watson takes home $37,000 for her effort, while Chang's runner-up performance
earned her $19,000.
The Sports Network