TOKYO: Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas overpowered local favourite Miyu Kato 6-2, 7-5 in the Japan Women’s Open final on Sunday to capture her first WTA tour title. Diyas, ranked 100th in the world coming into the tournament, overpowered her fellow qualifier and let out a squeal of delight after completing her fairytale Tokyo run with a sliced serve after 78 minutes. “It was a really tough match,” said Diyas, who reached her only previous final in Osaka three years ago. Kato’s own improbable run to the final was a boost for organisers after the loss of all eight seeds and the early exit of local favourite Kimiko Date. The Japan Women’s Open serves as the amuse-bouche for next week’s Pan Pacific Open tournament. Published in Daily Times, September 18th 2017.