Saturday 23 May 2015 19:08, UK
Italy's Karin Knapp defeated her compatriot Roberta Vinci 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-1 to win the WTA Nurnberger Versicherungscup and her second career title on Saturday.
The 27-year-old had not tasted victory on the senior circuit since her breakthrough triumph in September 2014 at the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan.
The win comes on the eve of Roland Garros which begins in Paris on Sunday. World No 48 Knapp achieved her best ever Grand Slam result in Paris last year when she reached the third round.
The 2013 Fed Cup winner has been drawn against former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the first round.
It was Knapp's first WTA title on clay and second in total and Vinci admitted her opponent was a worthy winner.
She told the official WTA website: "I tried my hardest today, but I'm pleased to have reached the final. Karin played very well today. It was a tough match. We've known each other for a long time, so it's tough to play her."
Vinci, a winner of five Grand Slam doubles titles and a team-mate of Knapp during their 2013 Fed Cup victory, misses out on a chance for a 10th WTA singles title and first since July 2013 at Palermo.
