Japan’s Kurumi Nara won her first career WTA title on Sunday after she won the inaugural Rio Open. The Japan’s number one player swept past top seed Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic in thrilling three-set match 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
“She played very well and it was a very tough match for me,” Nara said. “In the second set I was probably thinking too much about winning the title, so after I lost the set I had a good break and tried to come back and play well again in the third set. I’m just so happy I could win in the end today.”
Nara has had a fantasic run in the past six months which saw her reaching the third round of the US Open and Australian Open. Her ranking will now be within the top fifty following her win at the Brazilian city.
“I can’t believe it! I guess now I want to stay in the Top 50 this year!” she said. “But it’s really amazing. I try not to think about being No.1 in Japan. I really just try to focus on my game and my tennis every day. I just try my best every time and now I have my first WTA title. I’m so happy right now.”
