Zheng M. came from a set down to beat Echargui M. 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in Cincinnati, taking control on return and finishing with six breaks of serve. Zheng's cleaner serving and superior play on break points proved decisive.
Echargui took the opener 7-5, breaking in game 12 at 7-5 after a set that swung through breaks at 2-0, 2-1, 2-3 and 3-3. Zheng responded by breaking in game 1 at 0-1 and game 3 at 0-3 to take the second set 6-2. The same 0-1 and 0-3 breaks put her 3-0 up in the decider; Echargui cut the deficit to 2-4, but Zheng held on for 6-4.
Zheng was steadier on the big points, saving 5 of 9 break points and landing 61% of first serves, winning 68% of those points. She finished with six aces and a 94-84 edge in total points, while Echargui converted four break points of her own but saved only one of the seven she faced.