Hantuchova beats Tomljanovic to win Thailand Open

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova came back from a set down to beat Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 for her sixth career title at the Thailand Open on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Hantuchova took two hours and seven minutes to become the first player to win the tournament three times after also securing the title in 2011 and 2012.

Both players held serve in the opening four games until Hantuchova played a forehand wide to drop the fifth. Tomljanovic went on to take a 5-3 lead and finally took the set in 34 minutes after another errant forehand from Hantuchova that this time found the net.

In the second, Hantuchova broke the Croatian at the start and again for a 5-2 lead. Though Hantuchova dropped her serve in the next game, she broke right back to win the set in 42 minutes thanks to a double fault from her rival.

In the deciding set, Hantuchova secured an early break to lead 2-0 but the stubborn Croatian fought back and the set went with serve until 5-4. Tomljanovic committed her 10th double fault in the final game to bring up match point and then pushed a forehand off court to give Hantuchova victory.