Korpatsch triumphs in Cluj-Napoca for first career title

Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch secured her first-ever Hologic WTA Tour championship on Sunday, defeating Romanian player Elena-Gabriela Ruse with a score of 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Transylvania Open.

Reflecting on her victory, Korpatsch expressed her joy, stating, “This win holds immense significance for me. It’s my first WTA 250 title, and I couldn’t be happier. It was a challenging but fantastic week, and this tournament has been truly amazing.”

In her career’s inaugural tour-level final, 28-year-old Korpatsch battled for 1 hour and 52 minutes against Ruse, captivating the hometown audience and lifting the coveted trophy.

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Ranked 105th in the world, Korpatsch effectively capitalized on her returns, winning 70 percent of points against Ruse’s second serve. This dominance helped her convert six out of 10 break points throughout the match.

Coming into the final as a wildcard entry and currently ranked 188th, Ruse quickly gained momentum, breaking Korpatsch’s serve twice in a row to establish a 3-0 lead. However, Korpatsch swiftly turned the tables, winning six consecutive games to claim the first set.

Despite struggling with a left leg injury and receiving multiple visits from the trainer, Ruse displayed remarkable resilience on her home turf. She fought back from an early deficit in the second set, reaching a 2-2 tie. Nevertheless, Korpatsch consistently delivered winning shots, securing the next three games to take a commanding 5-2 lead and serve for the match.

In a remarkable turn of events, Ruse managed to break Korpatsch’s serve with a skillful volley, closing the gap to 5-4. However, Korpatsch remained composed and capitalized on her second opportunity to serve for the championship. She sealed the victory on her first championship point when Ruse’s return went wide.

Earlier on Sunday, Jodie Burrage and Jil Teichmann triumphed in the Transylvania Open doubles final, defeating Leolia Jeanjean and Valeriya Strakhova with a score of 6-1, 6-4 in 1 hour and 6 minutes.

In their debut tournament as a pair, Burrage and Teichmann showcased their dominance in the final, winning 74 percent of their service points and converting five out of seven break points.

For Burrage, this victory marks her first-ever Hologic WTA Tour title and her debut appearance in a tour-level doubles final. Teichmann, on the other hand, celebrates her second career WTA doubles title, having previously triumphed with Jasmine Paolini in Hamburg in 2021.