Jessica Pegula saved five championship points en route to winning the Berlin Open

It was a hard loss for Anna Kalinskaya and a brilliant comeback for Jessica Pegula who broke down in tears after the win. Pegula's experience and class shone forth after the win as she empathized with both Kalinskaya and her coach.

Everything about this women's singles final of the Berlin Open was unique. It started with the conclusion of the semifinal match between Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff in the second set tiebreaker that had to be played before the final match could even begin. It also involved Anna Kalinskaya taking a medical timeout for an apparent back and hip issue after falling behind 0-3 in the opening set.

Jessica Pegula and Anna Kalinskaya battled for over 2 1/2 hours

There was an exchange of service breaks in the first set. Pegula served for the set, not able to convert. Kalinskaya won in a first set tiebreaker shutting out Pegula at 7-0 with some of the most impeccable play of the match.

Whereas service return was the theme in the first set, he second set was about improved serving for both women. One service break by Pegula was the difference as the second set ended in 6-4 finish.

The third set was up and down for both players. Kalinskaya earned a break but could not hold. This was an evenly played match with both players having ample opportunity to pull away from the other. Pegula saved four championship points on her serve in the ninth game of the set and five championship points in total.

Kalinskaya's previous title was a WTA Challenger event. This is the second three set difficult final she lost this year; the first was to Jasmine Paolini in Dubai in March.

This is Pegula's first title on grass and the fifth of her career and certainly one of the most memorable. It is a great confidence boost headed into Wimbledon.

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