MIAMI, April 12 — Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova secured her maiden WTA title on Sunday, defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in straight sets to claim the Charleston clay court title in South Carolina. 

The 15th-seeded Kudermetova dominated from the outset to claim a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kovinic, ranked 91 in the world.

The 23-year-old from Kazan broke Kovinic in the seventh game of the second set for a 5-2 lead and then held comfortably to complete a win in 1hr 36min. 

"I feel very happy, amazing,” Kudermetova said afterwards. "I had a lot of ups and downs and now I’m here with the trophy,” added the Russian, who did not drop a set all week in Charleston. 

Sunday’s title marked Kudermetova’s second appearance in a final this season, losing the WTA Abu Dhabi against Aryna Sabalenka in January. 

Kudermetova’s Charleston victory came after a tournament which saw nine of the top 10 seeds exit before the quarter-finals on Friday, while world number one Ashleigh Barty exited in the last eight.. — AFP