Pavlyuchenkova overcomes Schiavone to claim Morocco crown

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won a tough battle against Francesca Schiavone to capture her 10th WTA title at the Grand Prix De SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem on Saturday.

The Russian won 7-5 7-5 on the clay in Rabat, her second tournament success in the space of a month after she overcome former world number one Angelique Kerber at the Monterrey Open in April.

Pavlyuchenkova relinquished her serve twice in succession early in the opening set but regained her composure to claim it on her second set point.

Both players gave up breaks early in the second, but after that it stayed on serve until veteran Schiavone blinked again at the crucial moment, the 2010 French Open champion broken in the 12th game to hand victory to her opponent.

"It was probably the toughest match of the tournament," Pavlyuchenkova said in an on-court interview.

"We've had really tough matches in the past on clay as well, so I knew it would be so tough. And it was. I'm so happy and relieved I won.

"It feels great, it's always nice to win a title and win any match. A win is a win, I always say. I just love to win, it feels amazing and I am enjoying this moment now."