WTA

• Pavlyuchenkova outlasts Vesnina to claim Istanbul crown

  Istanbul, Turkey (Sports Network) - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova rallied for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 triumph over fellow Russian Elena Vesnina in Sunday's final at the Istanbul Cup.

  The epic match lasted over three hours, with the third-seeded Pavlyuchenkova securing her second career WTA title in as many final appearances. She won the Monterrey Open back in March with a three-set decision over Daniela Hantuchova.

  Pavlyuchenkova, 19, became the 10th woman to win two singles titles this year.

  The outcome was not an ideal birthday gift for Vesnina, who turned 24 on Sunday. She remains winless in three career WTA finals, having lost last year in Auckland and New Haven.

  08/01 13:54:27 ET