Christina McHale came from behind to win a three-set Japan Open final against Katerina Siniakova on Sunday, claiming her first title with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Unseeded Czech player Siniakova was broken in the opening game in her second WTA final, but immediately broke back and the 20-year-old broke McHale twice more to take the first.
McHale, the tournament's second seed, dropped her serve for the fourth time in the match in the second set's opening game, but showed battling spirit to break back when Siniakova was two games from victory. After Siniakova pushed a forehand wide, McHale decisively broke again to level the match and take the initiative against an increasingly dejected Siniakova, who sensed her chance had gone.
American McHale, playing in her first WTA final since March 2014, raced into a 4-0 lead in the decider, with a double break proving crucial as she piled pressure on the young Czech.
McHale, who did not hit a single ace, served for the match at 5-3, but Siniakova produced an excellent volley to break back, although powerful hitting from the baseline then immediately earned McHale three match points on the Siniakova serve. And when the Czech sent a cross-court forehand wide, McHale edged a tough match to celebrate the first WTA title of her career.
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