By Adrianna Outlaw | Sunday, October 25, 2015
Misaki Doi captured her first career title defeating Mona Barthel, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-0, in the Luxembourg Open final.
Photo credit: Christopher Levy
Mona Barthel saved a match point in the tie break. Misaki Doi saved her most dynamic tennis for the decider.
Contesting her first final, the 92nd-ranked Doi captured her first career WTA title delivering a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-0 victory over Barthel in the Luxembourg Open final.
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The Japanese left hander made her Luxembourg debut one to remember. Doi defeated two of the top five seeds—No. 4-seeded Andrea Petkovic in her opener and fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals—en route to the final.
Doi broke at the outset and made the break stand winning 20 of 26 points played on her serve to streak through the opening set.
In the second-set tie break, Barthel belted a pass that appeared to graze the tape. Doi could not handle the low volley as Barthel saved a championship point and eventually took the tie break.
Shrugging off that near miss, Doi dug in and made a stand to start the final set.
Doi staved off four break points in the opening game of the decider then converted her second break point for a 2-0 lead.
When Barthel scattered a forehand down the line wide, Doi had a second break and a 4-0 lead.
When Barthel batted a backhand into the bottom of the net, Doi thrust her arms in the air scoring a one hour, 52-minute victory. She is projected to rise to a career-high rank when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday.