Russian qualifier Liudmila Samsonova has completed her dream week by lifting her maiden WTA title in Berlin with a three-set victory over Swiss Belinda Bencic.
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The 22-year-old had started the week ranked 106 in the world but she will leave the German capital heading to 63rd in Monday's rankings after a 1-6 6-1 6-3 triumph at the pre-Wimbledon grass-court event.
Samsonova follows compatriot Dinara Safina who won the last WTA event in Berlin back in 2008 when it was still a clay-court tournament.
Her run included a semi-final win over seventh seed, former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka and a victory over former top 10 player and ex-US Open finalist Madison Keys.
Fifth seed Bencic looked well en route to her fifth career title on Sunday as she stormed through the first set but Samsonova levelled in equally dominant fashion before holding her nerve to edge the decider.
Australian Associated Press
