Libema Open: Alexandrova beats fellow Russian Kudermetova in marathon match to defend title

In the longest final of the year on the WTA tour, Alexandrova came back from a set down to beat compatriot Kudermetova.

Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova with the winner’s trophy after beating compatriot Veronika Kudermetova in the final of Libema Open in Rosmalen on Sunday. | Photo Credit: AFP

Ekaterina Alexandrova defended her Libema Open title against fellow Russian and top seed Veronika Kudermetova after coming back to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Sunday in a near three-hour match that also had several rain delays.

It was the first time in the tournament that either player dropped a set and the fourth title for Alexandrova on the WTA tour. She also beat Kudermetova in the semifinals here last year en route to the title.

CAREER SINGLES TITLE #4 🏆🏆🏆🏆

Ekaterina Alexandrova | #LibemaOpenpic.twitter.com/2OMOqmFiBu

— wta (@WTA) June 18, 2023

The No. 4-seeded Alexandrova slumped to her knees when Kudermetova sent the last shot of the game into the net after a match that lasted 2 hours, 52 minutes — not counting two rain delays. The start of the match was also delayed by an hour because of rain.

It was the longest final of the year on the WTA tour.

Kudermetova won her only WTA singles title in 2021 at Charleston and has now lost four finals since. She’s ranked 14th, 12 spots higher than her Billie Jean King Cup teammate Alexandrova.

Griekspoor claims second career title

Tallon Griekspoor claimed his second title of the season when he came from a set down to defeat Jordan Thompson in the men’s final.

The 38th-ranked Dutchman came through 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 after two hours and 37 minutes against number 103 Thompson of Australia.

Griekspoor, 26, had also won the Pune hard court title in India at the start of the year.

(With inputs from AFP)