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2019.03.03 17:33 GMT+8

China's Wang Yafan, Australia's Nick Kyrgios win at Mexico Open

CGTN

China's Wang Yafan defeated American Sofia Kenin on Sunday in the final match of the Mexico Open to win the first WTA (Women's Tennis Association) singles title of her career. 

Meanwhile, Australia's Nick Kyrgios won his first singles title of 2019 in the tournament in Acapulco.

Having never before contested a WTA final, the unseeded Chinese world No. 65 rallied from a set and a break down to defeat No. 5 seed Kenin to take the trophy at 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.

The 24-year-old trailed 6-2, 2-0 in the match before finding her feet, while the 20-year-old American began to struggle with her consistency against the Chinese No. 4.

"This is my first time in the tournament, and I really like it here," said a beaming Wang after the match. "It was an amazing week. This is a good tournament and everything is very nice."

Wang will crack the top 50 in the WTA rankings on Monday for the first time in her career. Team China already features three players Wang Qiang, Zheng Saisai and Zhang Shuai in that ranking bracket.

Nick Kyrgios (L) of Australia holds the championship trophy while having a sombrero placed on his head at the Mexico Open in Acapulco, Mexico, March 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kyrgios claimed his first men's singles title this season, and his fifth ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) win ever, with his 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany in the final.

Besides Zverev, other top-10 players that the 23-year-old Australian defeated included world No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain in a second-round victory and No. 9 John Isner of the U.S. in the semis.

Before the match, Kyrgios, who once ranked world no. 13, slipped to 72nd in the world this season.

Commenting on the comparison with his rival, Kyrgios said, "You know, I lack on the physical side a little bit," Kyrgios admitted with a smile. "But today I served well and just played the clutch points pretty well."

"Really, he's the one who deserves to win it," Zverev said. "He's the real champion this week."

(With input from Xinhua, AFP)

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