Sara Errani produced a superb fightback to defeat Kateryna Bondarenko in straight sets and win the Oracle Challenger Series event at Indian Wells.
Errani trailed 4-1 in the first set but stormed back to win the next five games in a row on her way to a 6-4 6-2 victory in an hour and 20 minutes.
It is the former French Open finalist’s first title since the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2016 and comes after she had to battle through qualifying to book a place in the main draw.
Congratulations Sara Errani! On a beautiful day in #tennisparadise today, @SaraErrani clinched the title of 2018 Women’s Singles Champion in the @OracleChallngrs – Indian Wells. @WTA pic.twitter.com/DrGR3pRybO
— OracleTennis (@OracleTennis) March 4, 2018
Bondarenko looked in complete command as she broke Errani’s serve to love in the fourth game of the opening set and then easily consolidated the break to lead 4-1.
Errani, whose left thigh was heavily strapped throughout the match, then called for the trainer at the change of ends, but that seemed only to inspire the 30-year-old to raise her game and turn the match on its head.
After taking the first set and claiming an early break in the second the result was never in doubt and Bondarenko was reduced to screaming at herself and slamming her racket in frustration as the match slipped away.
