Lancer, ranked 266, defeated a player ranked 161 places higher than her in the WTA rankings. The first set of the final was the only one she dropped all week.
How Lancere defeated Blinkova in Luanda
Lancere jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the opening set and had a set point at 5-3 on Blinkova’s serve. Blinkova saved it and won five straight games, 7-5. Lancer responded with six straight games to take the second set 6-1 in 44 minutes.
Blinkova took a 2-1 lead in the opening game of the decider. Lancer then won four straight games with two breaks to take a 5-2 lead. Blinkova held and then broke as Lancer served out for the title at 5-3. Lancer fought back for his third game point to close it out at 6-4.
Serve was fragile on both sides with 17 breaks in 29 games. Lancer committed 16 double faults, but Blinkova held just five of her 15 service games. Lancer won 57% of her first serve points to Blinkova’s 43%.
Lansere’s path to rank
First stage: d. Angela Okuto 6-0, 7-5
Second stage: d. Christina Novak 6-0, 6-1
Quarter finals: d. Martina Kubka (3) 7-6 (4), 7-5
Semi-finals: d. Noma Noha Akuge (2) 7-6 (6), 6-2
Final: d. Anna Blinkova (1) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
Blinkova’s path to the final
First stage: d. Farah Heddar (WC) 6-2, 6-1
Second stage: d. Zhongyu Lee 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Quarter finals: d. Yasmin Kabaj (6) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
Semi-final: d. Gina Feistel 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Final: lost to Sofia Lancere (8) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
