Qualifier Blinkova beats Paolini in Cluj to win first WTA title

Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova completed the perfect week as she won her first career WTA Tour title with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Italian Jasmine Paolini in the final of the Transylvania Open by Verdino.

The world No 138 led by a set and a break before Paolini fought back but she pulled away again in the third set for the first title of her career. She is the fifth qualifier on the WTA Tour to win a title in 2022.

Blinkova beat qualifier Anastasia Zakharova (6-1, 7-6 (7)), Chinese Xinyu Wang (6-4, 2-6, 6-1), Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, the second seed (6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-3) and No 4 seed Anastasia Potapova (5-7, 6-4, 6-4) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Paolini, ranked No 78, defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the No 6 seed (5-7, 6-3, 6-4), Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (6-4, 6-1), German Jule Niemeier (7-5, 7-5) and Chinese Xiyu Wang, the No 7 seed (7-5, 4-6, 6-3).