It was a contest between third seed Kristina Mladenovic and sixth seed Coco Vandeweghe for the Ricoh Open title. Holding an overwhelming 3-0 head-to-head record, Vandeweghe had the edge as she looked to improve on that record and capture her second title here in Rosmalen. Mladenovic, on the other hand, was looking for her first win over the American and her first WTA title.
Vandeweghe looked the better of the two and got an important break to take the first set after a lengthy rain delay. The second set resumed after a short rain delay and there was little to separate the two. Mladenovic had a chance to level the match but faltered and the American finished strongly for her second title.
Little to separate the two but Vandeweghe gets the lone break
Mladenovic started proceedings with a good hold of serve. An error from Vandeweghe handed the Frenchwoman a couple of break points to get an early lead in the match. The American though remained focused and found her way out of trouble to hold for 1-1. Both players were having relatively comfortable service holds as the match continued on serve. Serving to level the set at 3-3, the first drops of rain began to fall and just after playing one point in the sixth game, play was suspended.
After a lengthy rain delay lasting for about two and half hours, the players came back to the court and the match resumed. Vandeweghe was off to a quick start to hold for 3-3. With neither looking to cave in, a poor service game from Mladenovic in the ninth game then handed the American her first opportunity to break with a triple break point. The Frenchwoman, however, regrouped in style to bravely fend off Vandeweghe and edge in front 5-4.
An aggressive return from Vandeweghe got Mladenovic in all sorts of trouble as the American gave herself a chance to break in the pivotal 11th game. This time, Vandeweghe capitalized, pouncing on the Frenchwoman’s weaker second serve to lead for the first time at 6-5. The American then went on to seal the set before the heavens opened up once more forcing play to be suspended yet again.
Mladenovic fails to serve out the set as Vandeweghe powers through
The second set resumed after about a shorter delay and Mladenovic started off well with a love hold. Vandeweghe was barely troubled in her own service games and continued attacking the Frenchwoman’s shorter serve to good effect whenever she could. Despite that, Mladenovic held her service games. The set was unfolding in a similar fashion to the first set as the players continued holding serve.
Mladenovic got the first real chance in the eighth game as Vandeweghe committed a string of errors. An unfortunate double fault then gave the Frenchwoman a 5-3 lead and a chance to serve for the set. That effort to get the break went to waste though as Mladenovic faltered and Vandeweghe grabbed at the chance to get back on serve for 4-5.
The American leveled for 5-5 and pressure was back on the Frenchwoman. And just like in the first set, the third seed gave away a break point but this time went on to save it. However, an overcooked shot gave the American another shot to break and a double fault at the worst possible time gave Vandeweghe a 6-5 lead. The American sealed the victory with an ace for her second Ricoh Open title.