ATHENS — Barbora Krejcikova spoiled the party as she beat hometown favourite Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the final of the WTA hard-court tournament in Athens.
The two-time Grand Slam winner from the Czech Republic needed just shy of an hour and three-quarters to claim her first title of the season.
Krejcikova, 30, battled back from 4-1 down in the opener to force a tie-break before eventually edging into the lead.
Sakkari again went up a break in the next set before the world number 32 roared back to claim the ninth title of her career, and first since Wimbledon two years ago.
For former world No 3 and Athens native Sakkari, her almost three-year wait for a third trophy goes on, AFP reported.
The 30-year-old was following in her mother’s footsteps by playing in the title-decider at the event, which returned to the Greek capital this season after a 35-year hiatus.
