Connecticut Open: Daria Gavrilova claims maiden WTA title with hard-fought win over Dominika Cibulkova

New York: Australia’s Daria Gavrilova claimed her first WTA title on Saturday, rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Dominika Cibulkova in the final at New Haven. The 23-year-old, who ousted top seed and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska in the semi-finals, followed up with a hard-fought triumph over second-seeded Cibulkova that saw them duel for two hours and 45 minutes on the hard courts of Connecticut. [caption id=“attachment_3979883” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Daria Gavrilova holds the Connecticut Open trophy after her 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Dominika Cibulkova. AP[/caption] For Gavrilova, ranked 26th in the world, it was a perfect curtain-raiser to the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year that starts on Monday in Flushing Meadows. She denied Slovakia’s Cibulkova, ranked 11th in the world, a ninth career WTA title. When she drilled a forehand winner to seal the victory, Gavrilova leapt into the air and tossed her racquet in celebration. She had turned the tide in the second set with a break for 3-2, winning a marathon game that included five deuces and one rally of 30 shots. Gavrilova will have a couple of days to savor the triumph before launching her US Open campaign against US qualifier Allie Kiick. Gavrilova could face fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina in the third round.