Stosur Wins first WTA title

Samantha Stosur claimed her first WTA Tour title with a 7-5 6-1 win over Francesca Schiavone in the Japan Women's Open.

The third seed had lost all five of her previous tour singles finals but never looked back in Osaka after claiming a close first set.

The first set stayed with serve until, serving to stay in the set at 6-5 down, Italian fourth seed Schiavone finally buckled.

Stosur broke again in game four of the second set and from there Schiavone, who had lost nine of her previous 10 singles finals, fell apart.

Victory completed a fine week for Stosur, whose only dropped set in her successful run was against top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals.

"I'm very, very pleased to win my first title after losing five previous finals," said Stosur.

"It has been a personal goal for a while, so I am glad to have achieved that and it's the perfect way to finish my year in singles.

"My next goal is to reach the top 10 for which I would need to play like today every day."

Schiavone was pleased to have made her opponent work for her victory.

"There were just a few points difference in the first set," she said.

"It was very close, she took her chances and she deserved to win. I gave her nothing for free, she won every point."