Former world number one Maria Sharapova has won her first title since May 2015, beating Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6 (10-8) in the Tianjin Open final.
The 30-year-old Russian was playing her seventh event since she returned to the tour in April from a 15-month drug ban.
She trailed 4-1 in both sets before overcoming the 19-year-old Belarusian, who was contesting her first WTA final, in two hours and five minutes.
It is the five-time Grand Slam winner's 36th WTA tournament victory.
Sharapova was denied a wildcard for the French Open, missed Wimbledon through injury and reached the US Open fourth round as a wildcard before losing to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.
The Russian, who began the week ranked 86th in the world, received a wildcard for the event in China.
She broke a nervous-looking Sabalenka in the opening game but then lost four games in succession as the teenager struck back with aggressive returns.
The Russian got back on serve at 4-3 after a 16-point game and then claimed the decisive break with a forehand winner down the line.
World number 101 Sabalenka surged into a 5-1 advantage in the second set with some more fiercely struck returns before Sharapova responded with five consecutive games to serve for the match at 6-5.
But she was unable to complete victory and a double fault sent the set into a tie-break, which saw the players drop four successive points on serve.
Sabalenka survived three match points but a double fault gave Sharapova a fourth chance and she duly recorded her first title since the Italian Open two years and five months ago.
The result means Sharapova moves up to number 57 in the world rankings.
Latest Stories
-
Eastern NDC raises GHS5.4m to support Mahama’s 2024 campaign
7 mins -
Kumawood actress Akyere Bruwaa condemns death rumours
15 mins -
Ghana Institution of Engineering calls for proactive measures to prevent flood disaster
17 mins -
Who pays for the extra cost? – COCOBOD CEO questions EU on new regulations
23 mins -
‘Dumsor’ will be over by end of May – Former NPP MP assures
40 mins -
Power crisis is not about money – NPP Manifesto Committe chair
46 mins -
Education Minister urges graduates to embrace opportunities
55 mins -
UN rights chief ‘horrified’ by mass grave reports at Gaza hospitals
1 hour -
We need more resources to deal with flooding – NADMO
1 hour -
We’ll not contest in Ejisu by-election – CPP tells EC
2 hours -
Thomas Partey makes first start in 2024 as Arsenal hit Chelsea for 5
3 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku scores hattrick as Leicester thrash Southampton
3 hours -
I was never interested in fame – Kofi Sarpong
3 hours -
CPP files injunction to halt Ejisu by-election
4 hours -
GRA clarifies status of resident individuals for tax purposes
4 hours