Raymond claims WTA title in Memphis

Second seed Lisa Raymond saved five match points in the third-set tie breaker to beat fourth seed Alexandra Stevenson in the …

Second seed Lisa Raymond saved five match points in the third-set tie breaker to beat fourth seed Alexandra Stevenson in the final of the Kroger St Jude in Memphis.

Raymond prevailed 4-6 6-3 7-6 (11/9) in the all-American women's final to collect her third career WTA title.

In the deciding tie-break, Raymond took the opening two points but Stevenson responded, taking six of the next seven points to give her three match points.

"I haven't played a match like that since college," Raymond said. "The fans and the atmosphere on the court was incredible."

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After saving her fourth match point, Raymond served for the title at 9-8, but Stevenson levelled once again.

Raymond, who used her serve-and-volley game to great effect in the final two sets, punched a winner at the net to make it 10-9 and after two hours four minutes Stevenson committed another unforced error to give Raymond the title.

PA