New Zealand's Paige Hourigan has captured her first ITF singles title after a straight sets win in the US $15,000 tournament in Corroios-Seixal in Portugal.
The 21 year old has beaten Zimbabwe's Valeria Bhunu 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hr 42. Hourigan dominated the match and broke her opponent six times. She has won the tournament as a qualifier beating higher ranked players throughout.
Hourigan who recently finished college in the US, will climb nearly 150 ranking spots from her current position of 872 to around 723 in the WTA standings.
Unfortunately Hourigan has missed out on qualifying for the US$25,000 tournament this week in nearby Setubal in Portugal.
Hourigan lost her second round qualifying match 6-3, 6-0 to Portugal's Ines Murta before heading to the final in nearby Corroios-Seixal later in the day.
