Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova serves the ball to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (not in picture) during their semi-final match at the WTA tennis tournament in Berlin. AFP
The Czech, who won Wimbledon in 2023, was pushed hard by Wang, appearing in her first final, but eventually emerged the 7-6 (12/10), 4-6, 6-2 winner.
This was Vondrousova's third success on the WTA tour and it proved she is hitting form at the right moment after a torrid time with injury with Wimbledon starting on Monday week.
The 25-year-old, finalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has tumbled down the world rankings to 164 from sixth after months away from the court with a left shoulder injury for which she underwent surgery last year.
This was her first title match since she defeated Ons Jabeur in straight sets at Wimbledon two years ago.
Immediate reward for the win will come on Monday when she shoots up inside the top 100 to 73 in the latest WTA world order.
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