Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova became the third first-time winner of a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title in three weeks when she defeated Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-1 6-0 to claim the Monterrey Open crown and a place on the Road to Bali. Her success follows the maiden title runs of Mariana Duque Marino at Bogota and Alisa Kleybanova in Kuala Lumpur.

The 18-year old Russian had to work especially hard for her victory, as she first had to take care of a semi-final that had been delayed from Saturday by rain. That was a tough assignment, as she needed three sets to overcome Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 2-6 6-1. Then after a short break she was back on court again to face up to the vastly more experienced Slovak, but she was equal to the task as she recovered from dropping the opening set and saved four of six break points in the match to claim the trophy.

"After the first match, it was hard to concentrate," said Pavlyuchenkova, explaining her slow start in the final. "I was not feeling the ball and was not playing well. Daniela played a very solid first set. Then I won against her by watching and understanding her game, but (I told myself) the most important thing is that I must enjoy the game.

"As I said, she played well the first set, I was tired, without emotions. So I put more energy in the game and fight point by point. You never understand when you won a final, you feel a lot of emotions, but in few days I will get it."

Hantuchova admitted she had been outplayed after the first set.

"After the first set she started to play very aggressive, almost with no mistakes," said Hantuchova. "I was waiting for her to make mistakes but really she played unbelievable. I was always under pressure."

All the players now move on to Indian Wells and Miami, and the International Series resumes on 5th April at Ponte Vedre Beach in Florida, and in Marbella as the European clay court season begins. All the winners of the International Series are hoping to earn one of only eight places available for the prestigious Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which takes place at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua from 4th to 7th November.