Number 7 seed Alexandra Krunic came back from a set and a break down twice in the second set to beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-7 (0-7) 7-5 6-1 after two hours and nine minutes in the final of the Libema Open in s’Hertogenbosch one day after fending off a match point in her semifinal win against Coco Vandeweghe. Krunic lifted the maiden WTA title of her career.
The match started with a trade of breaks in the second and third games. Krunic got another break in the second game to take a 4-3 lead. Flipkens held serve easily in the ninth game for 4-5. Krunic saved a break point with a backhand, but Flipkens converted her second break point for 5-5 with a down the line backhand passing shot. The Belgian cruised to a bagel win in the tie-break to improve her record in tie-breaks this year to 9-4.
In the second set Flipkens broke serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Krunic broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Flipkens broke serve in the ninth game at 30. Krunic broke at love in the 10th game, as Flipkens was serving for the match at 7-6 (7-0) 5-4. The Serbian sealed the second set with a break at 30 in the 12th game.
Krunic broke twice in the second and sixth games to seal the third set 6-1 becoming the first Serbian player to clinch a WTA singles title since Jelena Jankovic in 2015.
Krunic hit 31 winners to 36 unforced errors to clinch the fifth comeback win of the year and the sixth win in seven three-set matches in 2018.
“I don’t know how you pulled this off, but the fact that you didn’t show how much pain you were in today, makes me respect you more. I think we are both champions, and I am happy that I was able to stay in the match. I was very nervous and it was tough for me to play, but I am happy that I hung in there”, said Krunic.
