Local favorite Miyu Kato's fairy-tale run at the Japan Women's Open ended in heartbreak on Sunday, as the petite 22-year-old suffered a straight-sets defeat in the final against fellow qualifier Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.
Both players were gunning for their first WTA title but Diyas came out on top, the world No. 100 going one better than her runner-up finish in 2014 with a 6-2, 7-5 win in 78 minutes at Ariake Colosseum.
"It was a very tough match and I think we were both a bit tired," said Diyas. "Miyu played really well and I had to work for every point. I am really happy.