Tennis-Kasatkina beats Fernandez to win Eastbourne title

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina poses for a picture with the trophy after winning her final against Canada's Leylah Fernandez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

LONDON (Reuters) - Daria Kasatkina ended her run of defeats in WTA finals as she beat Canada's Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 to win the Eastbourne International on Saturday.

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina poses for a picture with the trophy after winning her final alongside Canada's Leylah Fernandez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The Russian sixth seed had been beaten in her previous five finals, but got over the line with an impressive display.

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina poses for a picture with the trophy after winning her final alongside former tennis player Martina Navratilova and runner up Canada's Leylah Fernandez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

"It's been a year but it feels like only a few days since the final last time," the 27-year-old, who lost in last year's Eastbourne final to Madison Keys, said.

"It was a tough battle today. It's been a long road to the title but I am really proud."

Kasatkina broke the Fernandez serve early and then survived a marathon 20-minute game on her own serve midway through the opening set before going on to claim the opener.

She moved 3-0 ahead in the second set but then former U.S. Open runner-up Fernandez then reeled off four successive games.

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina reacts during her final against Canada's Leylah Fernandez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Kasatkina stopped the rot though and polished off the last three games to win her first title since 2022.

Kasatkina is seeded 14th at Wimbledon and will face China's Zhang Shuai in the first round.

In the ATP event on Britain's south coast, American Taylor Fritz beat surprise finalist Max Purcell of Australia 6-3 6-4 to claim his third Eastbourne title.

Tennis - Eastbourne International - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 29, 2024 Russia's Daria Kasatkina kisses the trophy after winning her final against Canada's Leylah Fernandez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Chopra)