Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the biggest pay cheque of her career after beating Viktoria Kamenskaya of Russia in straight sets to win the singles title in the USD 25,000 NECC-ITF women's tennis tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana here today.
The 17-year-old Belarussian fired booming returns and broke Viktoria five times during the course of 6-3 6-4 victory in the final to pocket USD 3,920 as winner's prize (Rs 2.60 lakh), only the second title of her career.
Aryna's only other title triumph was at the USD 10,000 ITF Women's tournament in Antalya, Turkey early this year, where she also won the doubles title.
"I was playing Viktoria for the first time. She played well, so it was hard for me to face her. But I was focused on every service game, which helped me to beat her," said Aryna, who had finished runners-up to Barbara Haas of Austria last week in the USD 25,000 ITF event in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
Viktoria, who dabbles into coaching after injuries plagued her in the past, said it was a conscious decision to make a comeback as a player.
"I did pretty well for myself I guess. To reach the final itself was an achievement, but I must say Aryna played really well today," said Viktoria, who earned USD 2,090 as her pay cheque.
Aryna lost her serve in the opening game, but shot back soon after to make it 1-1. Viktoria fired three aces in the fourth game, but she was overwhelmed by Aryna's ground-strokes.
The Russian lost her serve in the fourth game and that break was enough for Aryna to close out the set 6-3 in her favour in 26 minutes.
Viktoria lost the first game of the second set, but then stretched Aryna into deuce twice before the Belarussian assumed a 2-0 lead.
The Russian tried to make a rally when she broke Aryna in the fourth game to make it 2-2. Games went with serves, but Aryna always looked to be in control, using drop volleys to perfection.
After breaking Viktoria in the ninth game, Aryna finished off the 64-minute contest with an ace.
