In a matchup between an irresistible force and an immovable object, Russian Liudmila Samsonova was as solid and unshakeable as ever.
The Russian swept to her third title in four tournaments and slowed, however briefly, the rise of teenage supernova Zheng Qinwen with a 7-5, 7-5 win in the Pan Pacific Open final on a sun-kissed center court at Ariake Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
"I was expecting a real tough match because I saw her play (and) she was playing very well," Samsonova said. "I think the most important thing was to break her."